60 percent goal
Analysis: The day the 60 percent goal almost died
For 11 years, Idaho has said it wants 60 percent of its young adults to hold a college degree or professional certificate. Now, it looks like the State Board of Education wants to scrap the goal.
Analysis: Whatever became of the 60 percent goal?
The State Board of Education says it isn’t abandoning a decade-long goal: convincing 60 percent of the state’s 25- to 34-year-olds to get a college degree or certificate. But the numbers aren’t moving, and state leaders aren’t talking much about this goal these days.
Tromp announces rural pilot program
In a speech to Treasure Valley business leaders, Boise State University’s president defended the diversity and inclusion programs that have sparked a conservative backlash. “What I’m interested in is catching students wherever we can catch them.”
Attention seniors: College ‘direct admissions’ paperwork is on the way
All Idaho high school seniors are pre-approved for some or all of the state’s two- and four-year colleges and universities. And they can start applying, for free, on Oct. 1.
Idaho’s postsecondary completion rate improves, slightly
But Idaho has a long way to go to hit its vaunted “60 percent” goal. And only three states have a lower completion rate.
Michigan embraces its version of a ’60 percent goal’
Like Idaho — which struggles to make headway on its postsecondary goal — Michigan faces daunting demographic hurdles.
Idaho’s ‘go-on rate’ shows no improvement
Fewer than 45 percent of the state’s high school graduates went straight to college last fall. Despite a multimillion-dollar campaign to encourage students to continue their education, this number has remained stagnant.
Idaho’s AP numbers remain well below national average
Idaho students can take Advanced Placement exams — at taxpayer expense. Still, the percentage of Idaho students passing an AP test remains mired at No. 39 nationally.
A sobering critique of the nation’s ’60 percent goal’
Idaho is struggling to convince high school graduates to continue their education. And that isn’t an isolated problem, the Hechinger Report said this week.
Idaho apprenticeships grow — but they don’t align with the ’60 percent goal’
If an apprentice goes straight from high school to a good job, that doesn’t “count” toward Idaho’s signature education goal. “We’ve kind of got ourselves into a narrow box,” says the state’s apprenticeship coordinator.