Meeting the 2020 American Graduation Initiative (AGI) Goal of Increasing Postsecondary Graduation Rates and Completions: A Macro Perspective of Community College Student Educational Attainment

Abstract

The paper uses the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data system (IPEDS) data to simulate the 2020 American Graduation Initiative (AGI) goal introduced by President Obama in the summer of 2009. We estimate community college graduation rates and completion numbers under different scenarios that include the following sets of variables: (a) internal education variables; (b) external workforce development variables; and (c) state and national environmental factors. Our analysis suggests that the likelihood of success of meeting the AGI goal increases dramatically if community colleges are able to raise graduation rates and increase completion numbers by doing the following: (a) lowering the inherent risk factors that prevent students from graduating by implementing proactive retention and completion strategies; (b) operating in economic and workforce development environments of low unemployment levels and (c) taking into consideration the ever-growing globally competitive environment.

Nontraditional Student Graduation Rate Benchmarks

“…The methods for these studies included using IPEDS to forecast the impact of community colleges on increasing the proportion of degrees in the United States (Kotamraju & Blackman, 2011), using NSC data to track community college outcomes (Gutierrez & Dantes, 2009), and using IPEDS data cross-referenced with a study of chief student affairs offi cers to investigate community college completion by minority students (Opp, 2010). However, these studies focused on the type of institution delivering education, not outcomes for nontraditional students.…”

exploration of persistence among successful low-income students in North Carolina

“…Instead of focusing on enrolling more students, the AGI aimed to help more students complete their programs and achieve their credentials. Almost half of all postsecondary education students in the United States attend two-year community colleges (Baime & Mullin, 2011), and two-year institutions awarded 25% of the 3.1 million degrees conferred at colleges and universities in the United States in 2008 (Kotamraju & Blackman, 2011). To meet the AGI's goal, the nation's community colleges will have to confer 1.75 million degrees annually, an increase of approximately 250 thousand per year (Kotamraju & Blackman, 2011).…”

“…Almost half of all postsecondary education students in the United States attend two-year community colleges (Baime & Mullin, 2011), and two-year institutions awarded 25% of the 3.1 million degrees conferred at colleges and universities in the United States in 2008 (Kotamraju & Blackman, 2011). To meet the AGI's goal, the nation's community colleges will have to confer 1.75 million degrees annually, an increase of approximately 250 thousand per year (Kotamraju & Blackman, 2011). While funding for the AGI was cut from reconciliation legislation amending the Affordable Care Act in 2010, two billion dollars was included in that legislation to fund the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant program.…”