Book Description

This document is a summary and evaluation of methodological procedures and results for the field test of the Beginning Postsecondary Student Longitudinal Study Second Followup, 1990-94 (BPS:90/94). The BPS study is a departure from previous studies in that it starts with a cohort of individuals as they enter their postsecondary studies regardless of when they completed high school. As a result, information is becoming available about nontraditional students who have delayed the completion of their education. All types of postsecondary students (academic, vocational/occupational, and technical) are included and can be represented in known proportions. An introduction considers the background, purposes, and scheduled products of the BPS study. Chapter 2 describes study design and method. Operating control systems implemented for the study are described in chapter 3. Details and descriptions of data locating and collection activities and outcomes are given in chapter 4, and data quality is examined in chapter 5. Supporting documentation is presented in four appendixes. Eight figures and 42 tables contain information about conducting the study. (SLD)