Find Your Perfect Program:
Vermont Works to Increase College Graduation Rate
By Catherine Groux
Posted February 22, 2012 02:50 PM
According to a 2011 CollegeBoard report, about 44.2% of Vermont residents between the ages of 25 and 34 have at least an associate's degree. In the U.S. as a whole, this figure is 41.1%, placing Vermont above the national average. However, the state is currently working to further improve its college graduation rate, according to The Boston Globe.
The state is now encouraging high school students to take introduction to college studies courses in which they have the chance to attend class a few times per week at a local community college. Then, these individuals are given vouchers to receive more college credits. So far, about 75% of students who participate in this program decide to go to college after high school.
"Those
Vermont is working to increase its college graduation rate. students begin thinking differently about themselves and see that they can be successful," John Fischer, interim deputy commissioner of the state Department of Education, told the Globe.
Currently, the introductory program works with 600 high school students per year at various college campuses and about 480 regional career centers across the state. However, Governor Peter Shumlin recently proposed that the state work to further expand the program.
