• The American public has distinct ideas about how college can be made more affordable.
• 6 in 10 parents say college is absolutely essential for their child, but nearly half of all Americans say there are too many students in college who dont belong there.
• Public opinion polling results on the topic of affirmative action vary tremendously depending on nuances in question wording.

These and many other important topics are the focus of Public Agendas new Higher Education Issue Guide, which provides unbiased analysis of the major debates, along with public opinion polling data and key facts and figures.

The new Higher Education Issue Guide joins a roster of Public Agenda guides used by thousands of journalists, policy makers and citizens to better understand controversial topics such as abortion, gay rights, terrorism, immigration and the economy. The newly-launched guide will provide frequently updated analyses of public attitudes captured in surveys conducted by respected polling organizations and more on higher education issues. Support for the creation of the guide at www.publicagenda.org is being provided by the Indianapolis-based Lumina Foundation for Education, a private, independent foundation with a mission to expand access and success in education beyond high school.

The Latest Information on Fast-Changing Debates

With renewed debate on affirmative action, increasing calls for outcomes accountability for universities and broad anxiety about how to address the skyrocketing costs of higher education, this issue guide couldnt come at a better time, said Public Agenda President Deborah Wadsworth. This new online resource is meant to help concerned citizens, journalists and others gain greater clarity on topics that can be extremely complicated.

As a foundation dedicated to expanding student access to an education beyond high school, Lumina Foundation is pleased that Public Agendas new online higher education guide provides timely information to educators, journalists, policy makers and the public, said Martha D. Lamkin, President and CEO, Lumina Foundation for Education.

Balanced Presentation of the Facts

The new Higher Education Issue Guide sections include:

• Overview Higher education issues at a glance.
• Notable & Newsworthy A digest of recent stories.
• Fact File Facts, trends, graphs, tables and charts on an array of topics including: enrollment, financial aid, salaries, institutional size.
• Framing the Debate three perspectives on how to approach higher education policy along with pros and cons of each perspective.
• Quick Takes Links to some particularly interesting facts, findings and perspectives.
• Sources and Resources A listing of the major players and contact information, including quick links to their web sites.
• Peoples Chief Concerns How the public defines the issues.
• Major Proposals Public views on policy options.
• A Nation Divided? Areas of public consensus and division.
• Red Flags Cautionary notes about survey findings, which ones might be somewhat misleading or easily misread.

Valuable, Unbiased Information from a Trusted Source

A USA Today Hot Site, Public Agenda Online has been praised by journalists and policy makers for its deep probing of difficult issues. In addition to nonpartisan analysis and news items, the site provides information on Public Agenda surveys and research from other top research institutions.

Visitors can sign up to receive a weekly email alert of relevant policy news and new publication announcements, as well as The Public Agenda newsletter.

Public Agenda, a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy research organization, located in New York City, is well respected for its trustworthy public opinion polls and its balanced citizen education materials. Founded in 1975 by Cyrus R. Vance, the former U.S. Secretary of State, and Daniel Yankelovich, the social scientist and author, its mission is to inform leaders about the publics views and to inform citizens about government policy. Public Agenda has produced numerous reports on higher education issues, including: Great Expectations: How the Public and Parents White, African American, and Hispanic View Higher Education; Doing Comparatively Well: Why the Public Loves Higher Education and Criticizes K-12; The Closing Gateway: A Report from the California Higher Education Policy Center; Enduring Values, Changing Concerns: What Californians Expect from Higher Education System; The Price of Admission: The Growing Importance of Higher Education; Taking Responsibility: Leaders Expectations of Higher Education; and Cross Talk: The Public, The Experts and Competitiveness.

Lumina Foundation for Education, a private, independent foundation, strives to help people achieve their potential by expanding access and success in education beyond high school. Through research, grants for innovative programs and communication initiatives, Lumina Foundation addresses issues surrounding access and success particularly among underserved student groups, including adult learners. The Foundation bases its mission on the belief that postsecondary education remains one of the most beneficial investments that individuals can make in themselves and that society can make in its people. For more information about Lumina Foundation, contact Sara Murray-Plumer, director of communication at (317) 951-5493 or visit www.luminafoundation.org.

Public Agenda is a nonprofit organization dedicated to nonpartisan public policy research. Founded in 1975 by former U.S. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance and Daniel Yankelovich, the social scientist and author, Public Agenda is well respected for its influential public opinion surveys and balanced citizen education materials. Its mission is to inject the public's voice into crucial policy debates. Public Agenda seeks to inform leaders about the public's views and to engage citizens in discussing complex policy issues.