High School & College Completion

[Gary Gilbert]

Accelerated Learning, Drop-Out Reduction.workforce development:

Representative Gary Gilbert , House Education Committee

Fairfax/Georgia, www.leg.state.vt.us, H 849-6333

January 16, 2010

Vermont can retain its most talented and motivated young adults and improve the quality of its workforce by removing barriers that exist between high school and postsecondary education. The State Board of Education, our High Schools and Colleges have recognized the need to assure that student high school experiences are related to college expectations in order to stop the trend where according to the New England Secondary School Consortium “only one in five New England undergraduates succeed in earning a post secondary degree or credential.”

The Education Transformation Policy Commission report (December 2009) concludes that PK-16 partnerships are needed to “focus on improving postsecondary aspiration, continuation, and completion rates for Vermonter…” (2009). 

The Vermont State Colleges and the University of Vermont had publicly committed to participation in a council of both pre-K-12 and postsecondary educators to remove barriers between secondary schools and colleges (2008). The Council Working Group included Vermont Independent Colleges, VSAC, and the DOE. Their report (January 2009) recommended that “the partnership should focus on the key leak in the pipeline: high school graduation to college continuation.” It specifically recommends that every high school student take at least one college level course or other postsecondary education/training experience and that high schools be required to accept those credits for high school graduation. There was no recommendation that colleges shall accept those same credits.

 Multiple enrollment options (dual enrollment, middle college or early college programs) provide students with the rigor of a college curriculum, high school and college credits, reduce the average time-to-degree and increase the likelihood of graduation. Last year Vermont had the best Advanced Placement gains in the nation: an indication our most talented and serious students are participating in accelerated learning opportunities and that our secondary schools are offering quality opportunities for these students. 

 We can continue to support these motivated students only if high schools, colleges and universities jointly grant academic credit to Vermont high school students who have successfully completed Dual Enrollment Courses, Advance Placement Courses, and On-line College Courses from accredited colleges and universities. Use of these credits would permit Vermonters to take additional courses in their major areas of study, become better skilled and diversified than other graduates, and keep our most talented and motivated young adults in our Colleges and University. It would serve as a substantial investment in workforce development without any additional cost to the taxpayer.

[Rev. Elizabeth]

--it seems to me that one of the 'key leaks' in the pipeline might very well be the cost of post secondary education, and I didn't see that mentioned.

[Gary Gilbert]

You are absolutely correct. This is the version that I should have sent.

Vermont can retain its most talented and motivated young adults and improve the quality of its workforce by removing barriers that exist between high school and postsecondary education. The State Board of Education, our High Schools and Colleges have recognized the need to assure that student high school experiences are related to college expectations and halt the trend where “only one in five New England undergraduates succeed in earning a post secondary degree or credential.”(New England Secondary School Consortium 2009)

The Education Transformation Policy Commission report (December 2009) concludes that PK-16 partnerships are needed to “focus on improving postsecondary aspiration, continuation, and completion rates for Vermonters…” (2009). 

The Vermont State Colleges, the University of Vermont, Vermont Independent Colleges, and VSAC participated in a council comprised of pre and postsecondary educators having the goal of removing barriers between secondary schools and colleges (Act 38 2009). Their report (January 2009) recommended that “the partnership should focus on the key leak in the pipeline: high school graduation to college continuation.” It recommended that every high school student take at least one college level course or other postsecondary education/training experience and that high schools shall accept those credits for high school graduation. There was no similar recommendation that colleges shall accept those same credits.
 
Multiple enrollment options (dual enrollment, middle college or early college programs) provide students with the rigor of a college curriculum, high school and college credits, reduce the average time-to-degree and increase the likelihood of graduation. Last year Vermont had the best Advanced Placement gains in the nation: an indication our most talented and serious students are participating in accelerated learning opportunities and that our secondary schools are offering quality opportunities for these students. 

 We can support these highly motivated students only if high schools, colleges and universities jointly grant academic credit to Vermont high school students who have successfully completed Dual Enrollment Courses, Advance Placement Courses, and On-line College Courses from accredited colleges and universities. College acceptance of these credits is the first step in addressing costs as barriers for middle and low-income families. Use of these credits would permit Vermonters to take additional courses in their major areas of study, become better skilled and diversified than other graduates, and keep our most talented and motivated young adults in our Colleges and University. It would serve as a substantial investment in workforce development without any additional cost to the taxpayer.

[cedarman]

With the cost of college education today, it is little wonder that only 1 in 5 people in New England complete a college degree.  I think it is less about peoples ability and preparation and more about the cost.

I believe skill specific technical degrees will become more common than general BA or even BS degrees.  Since technical degrees tend to cut out the "extras" and train people in a specific job or field and give them the skills they actually need through hands-on and practical training - a degree can be completed quicker and produce a individual more capable of doing a job right out of school without the employer footing the bill for lots of on the job training.

I think colleges and high schools working more closely with each other so students get the maximum benefit is a great start.  However, the ONLY way Vermont is going to retain talented young citizens (and be a growth state instead of an aged state), is to:
1) Reduce the cost of Education programs of all types
2) Reduce the Duration of Education programs by concentrating on core skills needed in specified career fields.
3) Encourage growth of companies which offer good paying jobs (this requires infrastructure improvements in some areas, and more importantly, not choking the live out of companies with higher tax rates)
4) Allow housing expansions, and new construction to loosen up the housing market and make it affordable for more people to afford to by a house to make a home (While it's great to be able to sell a house you bought 10 yrs ago for 3x the purchase price, $200K houses are NOT affordable for most and those prices are NOT sustainable)