Illinois’ ranking among other states’ higher education systems has dropped since the year 2000.

The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education released its Measuring Up 2002 report this month, and Illinois ranked third in the nation behind Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey, a press release stated. In 2000, Illinois ranked first.

The report grades states on preparation, participation, affordability, completion, benefits and learning.

In preparation for college, the state’s grade went down from an A in 2000 to a B+ in 2002. The decline was not unexpected, Daniel LaVista, Illinois Board of Higher Education’s executive director, said in a press release.

LaVista said high school curriculum needs to be strengthened if students are to succeed in college.

There was no change in Illinois’ grade in participation of citizens in higher education, the Measuring Up 2002 Website stated. The state retained its fairly high percentage of young adults enrolled in college-level education.

In the affordability category, Illinois’ grade went down, although the income needed to attend public four-year colleges and universities has decreased. The drop came because other states improved more in this category, so Illinois’ grade dropped from an A in 2000 to a B in 2002, the Website stated.

The center’s report also noted Illinois is the top-performing state in providing need-based financial aid.

Illinois made no improvement in completion of higher education, but because other states declined, its grade went up from a C+ to a B-.

“The percentage of college students who complete certificates and degrees relative to the number enrolled remains only fair,” the report stated.

The state’s grade for benefits of higher education, a B-, remained the same. This grade is based on educational attainment, rise in income as a result of a college education and patterns in voting and charitable donations, a press release stated.

The report’s only other category, based on available information on student learning, cannot be ranked, as it is impossible to make systematic state-by-state comparisons, the report stated.

Illinois’ overall grade point average in the Measuring Up 2002 report was 86.4, which is a decline from its 88.8 average in 2000.

Overall, the Illinois Board of Higher Education is pleased with the report card.

“Our grades reflect the emphasis the board and our colleges and universities have placed on improving student persistence and degree completion,” LaVista said. “They also underscore the unfinished business of strengthening high school preparation so students arrive in college ready for the academic rigors they will confront.”