College degree vital, top educators say
In a report issued Wednesday on Capitol Hill, the Commission on Access, Admissions and Success in Higher Education says a “torrent” of talent entering the nation’s schools in kindergarten is “reduced to a trickle 16 years later” as many students drop out of high school or fail to earn a four-year college degree.
The group is sponsored by the College Board, the non-profit group that owns the SAT, Advanced Placement and other college-related programs.
Among its 10 recommendations, the group says the United States should provide universally available but voluntary preschool education to children from low-income families, because a good start can improve their chances of getting to college.
The group wants federal support for the proposal — and may get it: President-elect Barack Obama promsied $10 billion for preschool education.
Out of the 10 recommendations, the preschool idea “may be the most important of all to make this thing successful,” says College Board president Gaston Caperton.
ENROLLMENT BY EDUCATION LEVEL
(in millions)
| Grade 1 | 3.64 |
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| Grade 2 | 3.63 |
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| Grade 3 | 3.67 |
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| Grade 4 | 3.71 |
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| Grade 5 | 3.70 |
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| Grade 6 | 3.66 |
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| Grade 7 | 3.62 |
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| Grade 8 | 3.53 |
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| Grade 9 | 3.99 |
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| Grade 10 | 3.49 |
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| Grade 11 | 3.08 |
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| Grade 12 | 2.80 |
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| Post- secondary education | 2.02 |
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| 2nd yr. | 1.49 |
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| B.A./B.S. in 4 yrs | 0.73 |
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| B.A./B.S. in 6 yrs | 1.17 |
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| B.A./B.S. anytime | 1.41 |
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Source: The College Board
Filed under: News
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