Review of the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) Comprehensive Program. Doc. # 2004-16 PDF Download

Author: Andrea Berger
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 69

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Book Description
The Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), "as established in 1972 to award grants to postsecondary institutions and organizations for the purpose of improving postsecondary educational opportunities." This review focused on five basic research questions: (1) To what extent did the funded projects fit within FIPSE?s operating principles? (2) To what extent have FIPSE projects been institutionalized? (3) To what extent have FIPSE projects disseminated information? (4) To what extent have FIPSE projects been replicated elsewhere? and (5) To what extent have FIPSE projects produced convincing evidence of effectiveness? The review uses a descriptive, qualitative approach based on a sample of 60 randomly selected projects funded from 1996 through 1998. Data came from the project annual and final reports, FIPSE?s online database, project Websites, and discussions with project staff and program officers, and reviews by subject experts. It was found that in general FIPSE projects reflected a balance of funding principles. Two thirds of the projects continued after the cessation of funding. Most projects were disseminated via presentations, web sites, and published articles. More than one half of the projects have been replicated. While individual project evaluation results were mixed, it is concluded given the challenge of supporting innovation, FIPSE succeeded in affecting postsecondary education. Includes 8 exhibits.