Executive Summary

1.     What Results Do You Want?

More than 40 million people now receive food stamps, an increase of nearly 50 percent since 2007, and economists predict that 1 in 4 children will be living in poverty in the near future. The brunt of this economic devastation is being borne by workers with the least education. They have suffered the greatest and most persistent job losses, plunging formerly working, self-sufficient families into poverty. Post-secondary education and training has kept more people competitive in this most recent recession. Research shows that individuals and society alike benefit from college completion. College graduates get better jobs, earn better wages, have a better quality of life and become more active citizens. As jobs change to require more education and as states transition to knowledge-based economies, this becomes a critical issue both for individuals and for the nation as a whole as we seek to maintain our competitiveness worldwide. See more information on related priorities and indicators. 

2.     How Are Your Kids?

of the 2000 cohort of full-time, first-time-in-college (ftic) students at a four-year institution, 57.5% completed a bachelor degree within six years after entry and 27.8% of the 2004 full-time, the same cohort at a two-year institution completed a certificate or associate degree within 150 percent of normal time. considering the personal and societal benefits to degree completion, these graduation rates are too low. See data for your state and guidance for understanding root causes, projections  and setting targets.

3.   What Can Policymakers Do?

      Strategies  

Increase college readiness 

• Improve alignment between the high school curriculum and college entry
• Increase the rigor of the high school curriculum
• Develop and implement aligned, common assessments
• Expand degree acceleration opportunities through dual enrollment
• Include college readiness measures in high school accountability 

Expand Access 

• Revamp developmental education to expedite entry to college level courses
• Assist students with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
• Expand need-based financial aid programs 

Improve Persistence Rates

• Enhance student services to include individualized academic tracking
• Provide accelerated degree opportunities 

Increase Completion

• Increase transfer rates through effective articulation policies
• Collect and report data through longitudinal data systems
• Provide funding incentives for completion

     Success Story - Louisiana

4.     How Can You Ensure Success?

A number of steps can be taken to improve the success of policy strategies adopted in this area. See more guidance on overseeing implementation and ensuring accountability.

5.     How Can You Sustain Success?

 Guidance on Financing and Investing in Results and Financing Options.