The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education recently released its state-by-state report card on higher education.

The report, called Measuring Up 2002, grades in five areas: preparation, participation, affordability, completion and benefits.

Compared to its scores in 2000, Tennessee saw improvement in two areas, Participation and Completion. Although these areas saw improvement, they still received low scores.

Tennessee scored a D- in preparation, down from a C- in 2000.

Improvement was seen in participation. Tennessee received a D- in 2000 and moved up to a D+ in 2002.

Affordability saw a lower grade, dropping from C to a D-. Completion saw an increase, going from a C to a C+.

Benefits saw no change at all from 2000, staying at a D+ A more detailed account of this report can be seen in next week’s Pacer.