How would Perry and White get more Texans to graduate from college?
The story that broke last week about the U.S. trailing other nations in college graduation rates may seem like one of those pieces you've read before. After all, the New York Times' Thomas Friedman beat the drum hard a few years back about India and China catching up with us in engineering.
Nevertheless, the College Board's report about the U.S. falling to 12th in worldwide graduation rates has tremendous relevance here in Texas. As it turns out, not only is the U.S. behind, but Texas ranks 40th among all states and the District of Columbia when it comes to students between the ages of 25 and 34 who hold an associates degree or higher. In fact, only 27 percent of Texans in that age range have earned a postsecondary degree, while the national average for that group is 41 percent.
Both at the national and state level, this is a real problem. College graduates are the foundation of our economy, driving it with innovation and the ability to solve problems. Without a vast pool of them, we are going to struggle
Nevertheless, the College Board's report about the U.S. falling to 12th in worldwide graduation rates has tremendous relevance here in Texas. As it turns out, not only is the U.S. behind, but Texas ranks 40th among all states and the District of Columbia when it comes to students between the ages of 25 and 34 who hold an associates degree or higher. In fact, only 27 percent of Texans in that age range have earned a postsecondary degree, while the national average for that group is 41 percent.
Both at the national and state level, this is a real problem. College graduates are the foundation of our economy, driving it with innovation and the ability to solve problems. Without a vast pool of them, we are going to struggle