One area of bad news in the data is the continued decline in U.S. high school completion rates. While the United States led the world in high school completion for much of the 20th century – posting a 77 percent rate back in 1972 – the country ranks 21st among advanced economies today with a rate of only 67 percent, the report said.
And among young adults with college degrees, the United States is behind not only Japan and Canada but also Russia, Korea, Ireland and Spain, said the commission’s full report, “Coming to Our Senses: Education and the American Future.”
To draw attention to the goal, the College Board proposes to report annually on United States progress toward the 55 percent college completion goal. Aside from actual completion data, the annual report will examine preschool enrollment rates, high school dropout rates, college affordability and college retention rates.
“We must regain our drive to excel and take the actions necessary to get us back on track as a nation,” said Gaston Caperton, College Board president.
The commission included Joseph McDonald, president and founder of Salish Kootenai College, a tribal college, as well as officials from the University of Texas at Austin, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and the American Council on Education. More information is online at www.collegeboard.com.
Email the editor: editor@diverseeducation.com
Click here to post and read comments
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
