Dear Colleagues:
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) released a "First Look" report on postsecondary on graduation rates and financial aid for selected cohorts of students, 2006-2011. One of the highlighted findings: "When the time students were tracked for program completion was extended from within 100 percent of normal time to within 200 percent of normal time, graduation rates for undergraduates who were full-time, first-time students in 2010 increased from18 percent to 36 percent at 2-year institutions and from 38 percent to 67 percent at less-than-2-year institutions" (see Table 2). This study would capture adult education students who begin postsecondary education as full-time students. For many adults with family and work obligations, part-time attendance in postsecondary education may be more likely at the start.
There's lots more, even in this brief report, particularly around costs/scholarships/grants for 4-year, 2-year, and below 2-year programs, and the strong completion rates for certificates.
Cynthia
Cynthia Zafft, Moderator
Postsecondary Completion