The 60% Degree Completion Initiative

As the United States begins to wake up to the realities of the knowledge economy, increasing the degree completion rate has been identified as a critical method to buttress the workforce. To this end, the Lumina Foundation and the federal government have both set national degree completion targets of 60 percent to be reached over the next decade. This Mini Feature will explore the degree completion target from every angle; from the efficacy of the target to its impact on other areas of higher education.

AUDIO | Behind the Target: Understanding 60 Percent

Dewayne Matthews | Vice President of Policy and Strategy, Lumina Foundation

The 60 percent attainment target, based on international trends and labor market projections, is critical for the American economy, society and individuals.

Education Pays: Degrees Are Not the Only Pathway

Jonathan Rothwell | Associate Fellow, The Brookings Institution

While degree-holders have historically earned higher wages than non-degree holders, one should not discount the value of sub-baccalaureate postsecondary education.

An Educated Society is a Stronger Society

Cindy Miller | Kansas City Campus Director, Columbia College

More than labor market growth, the health of the society and citizenry relies on its citizens to be educated and inquisitive.

Expect Stagnation without Completion

Lori Perkovich | Student, Kings College London

A degree is critical for adults to who want find work or advance their career.

Raising the Profile of Experiential Learning

Amy Sherman | Associate Vice President for Policy and Strategic Alliances, CAEL and Becky Klein-Collins | Senior Director of Research and Policy-Development, CAEL

Prior learning can be as valuable for an adult’s workforce advance and success as a credential, but more effort must be made by higher education and government leaders to more closely integrate the two elements.

AUDIO | Certificates and Certifications Making the Difference

Stephen Rose | Senior Economist, Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce

Certifications are not receiving the same recognition as certificates when it comes to supporting workforce success, but they should be brought into the fold.

PLA and Competency Override Need for Traditional Degrees

Tina Grant | Executive Director of the Center for Assessment of Post-Traditional Learning, Excelsior College

As prior learning, competency and experiential learning gain more weight, traditional degrees are losing their monopoly as pathways to career success and progress.

Certificate or Degree? The Eternal Question Solved

Kevin Currie | Executive Director, Northeastern University Online

Degrees and noncredit certificates and certifications have their own benefits and values, but the best option depends on the individual’s situation.

Where Completion Goes Awry: The Metrics for Success Mark Mounting Problems with Quality

Carol Schneider | President, AAC&U

Setting a target for degree completion and attainment does not translate to an increase in degree program quality; it more likely spells its decline.

Value of Degrees Could Decline as Numbers Climb

Edward Abeyta | Director of K-16 Programs, UC San Diego

Content, competencies and knowledge are more tied to labor market advancement and success than simply holding a piece of paper, but institutions have an opportunity to make programming more relevant.

Degrees Create Labor Market Competitiveness

Teresa Clark | Director of New Program Research and Design, Lipscomb University

Achieving the degree completion targets are going to take coordinated efforts from institutions, employers, government bodies and larger associations.

A National Graduation Goal Does Not Lead to Low Quality

Chari Leader-Kelley | Independent Higher Education Consultant

There are a number of strategies that can be put into place to ensure that the quality of postsecondary education remains high while pursuing the 60 percent degree completion target.

Inspiring Institutional Culture Change with Completion

Charles Dull | Assistant Dean for eLearning and Innovation, Cuyahoga Community College

The completion target will lead to a culture change across the postsecondary education space to make higher education more student-centric and outcome-focused.

AUDIO | Just-in-Time Learning Flies Under the Radar with Completion Target

Bob Mosher | Chief Learning Evangelist, Ontuituve

Finding ways to bring just-in-time learning programming and relevant skills into degree program requirements will go a long way to making the 60 percent completion initiative work toward strengthening the workforce.

Goals for College Graduation Rates are Foolish

George Leef | Director of Research, John W Pope Center for Higher Education Policy

Setting federal targets for college completion is a recipe for a highly-unemployed population with overblown and unrealized wage expectations.