The head of one of Kentucky’s best-known education advocacy organizations sees promise in college graduation rates. But, she said it remains a work in progress.
Brigitte Blom is president and CEO of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence. The University of Kentucky announced this week it anticipates a 70% graduation rate for the fall 2017 cohort. Blom said that signals real progress, but still added the Commonwealth ranks 41st nationally in college enrollment and 30th in the nation in graduation from four-year institutions.
“So if we can improve these indicators, improve postsecondary enrollment, improve graduation from two and four-year institutions and improve our overall attainment rate, Kentucky can start to break cycles of poverty and increase household income,” said Blom.
Blom said that still would require a deeper financial investment by the state to lessen the tuition cost for students.
Blom noted tuition cost is not the only potential barrier for some students. While it’s important to see high school graduates opt into postsecondary education, Blom added there’s also a need to see more adults going back to school.
“And oftentimes those folks have children at home. And so they may need access to childcare. Year’s ago there was much more access to childcare on university campuses than there is today,” said Blom.
Blom said sizeable gains have been made in high school graduate rates. In fact, she said Kentucky rates third nationally now in high school graduation. The Prichard Committee CEO noted the challenge remains to get those grads into postsecondary education.
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