Policy Insights | Accelerated Learning Options: A Promising Strategy for States

To better understand the effectiveness and overall policy context of accelerated learning in the U.S., the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) conducted a study of state and institutional policies and practices. Funded by Lumina Foundation for Education, the study examined issues of effectiveness, quality, financing, and availability in an effort to explore whether accelerated learning is a viable strategy for increasing access to and success in postsecondary education among low-income and underrepresented students. Policy Insights examines current issues in higher education from the perspective of policymakers at the state level and on campus.

This issue of Policy Insights draws on findings from WICHE’s report Accelerated Learning Options: Moving the Needle on Access and Success to lay out some of the important policy issues that decision makers might consider when adopting new state policy related to accelerated learning or modifying policies already in existence.