Organization Launches State College Completion Initiative Supported By Five Foundations
Today, Complete College America — the product of an historic alignment of five of our country’s leading philanthropies — formally launches its efforts to significantly increase college completion.
Signifying their intent to take bold action, 17 states have joined Complete College America’s Alliance of States, committing to set degree goals at state and campus levels, establish common measures of progress and publicly report results annually, and develop and implement action plans to graduate more students.
The charter members of the Alliance of States are:
Connecticut Massachusetts South Dakota
Hawaii Nevada Tennessee
Idaho Ohio Utah
Illinois Oregon Vermont
Indiana Pennsylvania West Virginia
Maryland Rhode Island
Once first in the world, America now ranks 10th in the proportion of young people with a college degree. Less than 40% hold an associate or bachelor’s degree, and substantial racial and income gaps persist. Recognizing that within a decade 6 of 10 Americans must have a degree or quality credential to succeed, it is vital that more students graduate.
Complete College America is dedicated to working with states to implement systemic reforms, accomplish innovative approaches at scale, and remove needless obstacles that too often block the path to graduation day.
More of the same will not do…and will ensure that this generation of Americans will be the first to be less educated than their parents.
We believe there is great reason for optimism…and a clear path forward. With a little help — and some common sense — all Americans will share in the benefits of our students’ success.
Please join us, making graduation our shared priority. To learn more about Complete College America, go here.
With thanks,
Stan Jones
