Global Academic Ranking System

A proposed global academic ranking system may change the way institutions make decisions. Some of the changes may be in the areas of:

Improved data-based decision making. Rankings can prompt institutional discussions about what constitutes success and how the institution can better document and report that success.

Increased participation in broader discussions about measuring institutional success. Rankings can encourage institutions to move beyond their internal conversations to participate in broader national and international discussions about new ways of capturing and reporting indicators of success.

Improved teaching and learning practices. While the case study institutions continue to point to their changing practices that alter input indicators—increasing selectivity, favoring research over teaching, and strengthening the faculty profile—a number of institutions are also reporting changes to practices directly related to student learning and success.

Identification and replication of model programs. Institutions should be open to using rankings to identify and share best practices.

The ranking system may also force lesser schools to compete. Many schools will no longer be able to just get by with sub standard education and educational practices. They will also have to compete in the are of funding for students. But even if they compete, you still have to ask and apply to qualify.