Dropout Nation
Alison MillerIssue date: 7/23/09 Section: News
At a time when a college degree is essential for most jobs, today's students aren't quite hitting the graduation mark, and it might not be their fault.
A study released by the American Enterprise Institute shows that fewer than 55 percent of four-year college students will graduate with a degree within six years.
The report compared 1,300 different colleges and universities, and the results indicated a vast difference of graduation rates among some of the less selective schools that educate the bulk of America's college students.
The study separated and analyzed schools by similar admission criteria and students, ranging from noncompetitive to most competitive schools.
Among the results, Harvard ranked number one among the most competitive schools with a 97 percent graduation rate, and Southern University at New Orleans ranked the lowest among noncompetitive schools with an eight percent graduation rate.
Arizona, as a state, falls slightly below the average with a 52 percent graduation rate.
While the study acknowledges that student motivation affects graduation rates, it argues that education institutions are a major factor as well.
"The bottom line is that students enrolling in a college or university should have a reasonable expectation that they will earn a degree in a timely fashion," the study states.
School's Failure
Mark Schneider, one of the researchers of the study, recently discussed his findings in an interview with College Times.
Schneider recognizes that there are many students who are not earning a degree because of their own personal inabilities. However, he says there are many more students out there who are not getting their degree because of their institutions.
"It's easy to blame students for not being prepared and blame the economy, but we also need to look at the role of institutions," Schneider said.
Schneider said post-secondary education was viewed as a great success for a long time, but now universities need to re-evaluate their programs and try to identify the best practices that work.
A study released by the American Enterprise Institute shows that fewer than 55 percent of four-year college students will graduate with a degree within six years.
The report compared 1,300 different colleges and universities, and the results indicated a vast difference of graduation rates among some of the less selective schools that educate the bulk of America's college students.
The study separated and analyzed schools by similar admission criteria and students, ranging from noncompetitive to most competitive schools.
Among the results, Harvard ranked number one among the most competitive schools with a 97 percent graduation rate, and Southern University at New Orleans ranked the lowest among noncompetitive schools with an eight percent graduation rate.
Arizona, as a state, falls slightly below the average with a 52 percent graduation rate.
While the study acknowledges that student motivation affects graduation rates, it argues that education institutions are a major factor as well.
"The bottom line is that students enrolling in a college or university should have a reasonable expectation that they will earn a degree in a timely fashion," the study states.
School's Failure
Mark Schneider, one of the researchers of the study, recently discussed his findings in an interview with College Times.
Schneider recognizes that there are many students who are not earning a degree because of their own personal inabilities. However, he says there are many more students out there who are not getting their degree because of their institutions.
"It's easy to blame students for not being prepared and blame the economy, but we also need to look at the role of institutions," Schneider said.
Schneider said post-secondary education was viewed as a great success for a long time, but now universities need to re-evaluate their programs and try to identify the best practices that work.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Doug Bryan
posted 7/10/09 @ 3:56 PM MST
Thank you for this study! My company helps parents save thousands on college. One of our secrets is properly preparing the student. Kids entering college with no idea what they want to do are bound to be there longer than 4 years. (Continued…)
Post a Comment