Some encouraging Idaho college statistics

Idaho ended up with a top five ranking in a recent national report — and the results have some encouraging implications for work force development.

The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center tracked the 536,351 students who received an associate’s degree in 2009-10.

Over the ensuing six years, 41 percent of these graduates parlayed an associate’s degree into a bachelor’s degree. In Idaho, that percentage was even higher.

Of the 2,326 Idahoans who received an associate’s degree in 2009-10, 1,147 received a bachelor’s degree within six years. That 49.3 percent figure ranked No. 4 in the nation.

The report comes as Idaho has ramped up a series of dual-credit programs designed to encourage high school students to acquire college credits — or earn associate’s degrees — before graduating high school. Dual-credit supporters believe the programs will make college more affordable and attractive to high school students, and help improve Idaho’s dismal college go-on rates.

The National Student Clearinghouse, a Herndon, Va.-based nonprofit, says its goal is to “provide educators and policymakers with accurate longitudinal data on student outcomes to enable informed decisionmaking.”

 

Kevin Richert

Kevin Richert

Senior reporter and blogger Kevin Richert specializes in education politics and education policy. He has more than 30 years of experience in Idaho journalism. He is a frequent guest on "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television and "Idaho Matters" on Boise State Public Radio. Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KevinRichert. He can be reached at [email protected]

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