Wednesday
Apr072010
Graduation Rates
Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 5:16AM
The National Center for Education Statistics has released the latest statistics on college graduation rates. The national college graduation rate is about the same as it has been in the past several years-- 36% for 4 years and 57% in 6 years. This is despite more student aid. How can this be?
There are a number of factors contributing to the low graduation rate. Students are not as prepared as they should be. It is estimated that 1/4 to 1/3 of the college students need to take remedial courses. It has been shown that students who have a strong commitment to a career are more likely to persist in college. Too many high schools (and community colleges) are not providing adequate career planning.
In addition, colleges often do not organize their course schedules to be more accommodating to students' lives. This leads to scheduling problems-- as a result, students need to attend more semesters, increasing the time commitment to college and the total cost.
The first semester of college is extremely important. The initial impression counts. Research has shown that placement into the right courses is important for continued academic success. In additon, students who have professors who are perceived as fair and supportive tend to persist at a higher rate. A positive learning-focused culture throughout the college experience matters. Especially for STEM majors, more activities that excite students about STEM learning lead to higher graduation rates.
Often colleges can do better. Colleges that are more data-driven with the use of student surveys tend to see increasing graduation rates.
Often the 6-year graduation rate is quoted. But most parents expect their children to graduate in 4 years. More effort is needed to significantly increase the 4 year graduation rate of 36%. If each college used Plan-Do-Study-Act consistently year after year, we would see a significant improvment.
It can be done!!
Cindy
Source: Chronicle of Higher Education, "Education Dept. Data Show Rise in Enrollment and Student Aid but Flat Graduation Rates" by Ashley Marchand, , April, 6, 2010.
There are a number of factors contributing to the low graduation rate. Students are not as prepared as they should be. It is estimated that 1/4 to 1/3 of the college students need to take remedial courses. It has been shown that students who have a strong commitment to a career are more likely to persist in college. Too many high schools (and community colleges) are not providing adequate career planning.
In addition, colleges often do not organize their course schedules to be more accommodating to students' lives. This leads to scheduling problems-- as a result, students need to attend more semesters, increasing the time commitment to college and the total cost.
The first semester of college is extremely important. The initial impression counts. Research has shown that placement into the right courses is important for continued academic success. In additon, students who have professors who are perceived as fair and supportive tend to persist at a higher rate. A positive learning-focused culture throughout the college experience matters. Especially for STEM majors, more activities that excite students about STEM learning lead to higher graduation rates.
Often colleges can do better. Colleges that are more data-driven with the use of student surveys tend to see increasing graduation rates.
Often the 6-year graduation rate is quoted. But most parents expect their children to graduate in 4 years. More effort is needed to significantly increase the 4 year graduation rate of 36%. If each college used Plan-Do-Study-Act consistently year after year, we would see a significant improvment.
It can be done!!
Cindy
Source: Chronicle of Higher Education, "Education Dept. Data Show Rise in Enrollment and Student Aid but Flat Graduation Rates" by Ashley Marchand, , April, 6, 2010.
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