The Commission on the Future of Higher Education released its final recommendation for changes to the higher education system yesterday, which could affect how Penn State assesses student performance and financial aid.

In the 62-page report, the federal education commission said it found many American college students earned degrees but did not master the reading, math and thinking skills expected of college graduates.

"Unacceptable numbers of college graduates enter the work force without the skills which employers say they need in an economy where knowledge matters more than ever," the report stated.

University spokeswoman Jill Shockey said she hadn't heard any concerns from the administration about Penn State's quality of education.

"Penn State is a top-tier academic institution," she said. "I wouldn't think they would have these problems."

The report supported measuring "meaningful student learning outcomes" by using tests such as the Collegiate Learning Assessment, which measures communication and thinking skills from general education classes. With this information, the report recommended the formation of a "creative, consumer friendly information database" for parents and prospective students.

This year, Penn State already plans to implement a pilot testing program, using the Collegiate Learning Assessment. Through seminars, 100 freshmen and 100 seniors will volunteer for the assessment test, said Robert Pangborn, vice president for the department of undergraduate education.

"We don't want the success of our students to be anecdotal," he said. "Through this assessment, we want to insure a solid base of learning."

In financing higher education, the commission called the system "increasingly dysfunctional" and suggested a number of possible

changes, including lower costs by reducing unnecessary expenses within the institution and by gaining more funding from state governments.

Last week, the Board of Trustees' appropriations request sought a 6.8 percent funding increase from the Commonwealth, but even if the full request is awarded, University Park tuition is still predicted to rise by 4.8 percent, Penn State President Graham Spanier said.

For better financial aid, the commission suggested increasing need-based financial aid and limiting merit-based aid. But Penn State already awards the majority of its aid based on need, said Anna Griswold, executive director of financial aid. Higher income families receive almost 60 percent of merit-based aid at Penn State, she added.

"Penn State does a pretty good job with awarding aid to lower-income families," she said.

The report also supports shortening the FAFSA form. Griswold said a simpler FAFSA form would eliminate questions irrelevant to lower-income families.

"It would make [filling out the form] easier and not as confusing," she said.

The commission also proposed consolidating student aid programs, and Griswold said she felt skeptical of this proposal.

Currently, Penn State students receive aid through the Pell Grant program, where the government allocates about $20 million for specific students. The government also supplies about $5 million through the supplemental educational opportunity grant, which grants the university funds based on enrollment.

"It might be OK if the appropriated funding got carried over from one program to another," she said. "I'm just skeptical [the supplemental education opportunity grant program] might not receive as much money."

On Sept. 26, U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings will release a more specific plan based on the commission's recommendations, said Samara Yudof, a spokesperson for the Department of Education.