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From a new direct admissions effort in Wisconsin to the sixth straight year of declines in ACT scores, here are the top-line figures from some of the biggest stories of the week.
By the numbers
500
The rough number of high schools that will participate in the first phase of the University of Wisconsin system’s direct admissions program, which will roll out next year. The goal of the system, which is also rebranding to Universities of Wisconsin, is to expand the initiative to all Wisconsin high schools in the coming years.
19.5
The average composite score the high school class of 2023 received on their ACT exams. That represents a decline of 0.3 points from last year’s graduates and is the sixth straight year that average scores have fallen.
16
The number of committee members that convened this week to begin hashing out the policy details of the Biden administration’s second attempt at mass loan forgiveness. The members are participating in a process called negotiated rulemaking, which brings together representatives of different groups in the hopes they can agree on new policy language.
2.2%
The enrollment decline the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education experienced this fall, marking over a decade of falling student headcounts. However, system leaders pointed to a 3.4% increase in first-time students as reason to celebrate.
33
The number of faculty members who will be eligible for buyouts at Vermont State University, which is seeking cuts to improve its finances. This week, administrators offered employees the deal, which would offer them additional compensation at the end of the year — equal to half of their annual salary.
