Overview & Background
Completing an education beyond a high school diploma — what we call postsecondary success — is essential for improving the earnings, health and lifespan of Idaho’s people. Yet Idaho continues to trail nationally in the number of students who go on to higher education and complete their education.
The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation’s goal is to measurably improve Idaho’s national ranking in college participation and completion. The 2008 “Measuring Up” report, a national report on higher education, gives Idaho a “D” in college participation — the likelihood of enrolling in college by age 19 is low in Idaho, and has dropped by 9 percent since the early 1990s. In addition, 23 percent of Hispanic young adults are enrolled in college, compared with 34 percent of whites.
When it comes to completion, Idaho has a “C” grade: We perform well in awarding certificates and degrees relative to the number of students enrolled, but few students obtain their bachelor’s degrees in a timely manner. Forty-three percent of college students complete a bachelor’s degree within six years; 31 percent of Hispanic students graduate within six years, compared with 45 percent of white students.
At JKAF, we believe that we can do better — our goal is that every student in Idaho will go on to some form of postsecondary education or training.
Here are some other pages about the Post-Secondary Success Initiative…
