Several news outlets in the Beehive State are reporting that the University of Utah has a graduation rate that is too low. The audit claims that the entrance standards are too low and too many students who would not graduate are getting in.
This may explain only part of the problem. This is simply one symptom of a broader problem. Here are the published graduation rates for all public colleges in Utah.
Brigham Young (Private school included for an example.)
70% admission rate
78% 6-year graduation rate
Source: NY Times
Southern Utah University
100% admission rate
43% graduation Rate
Source: The Republic/US News and World Report
University of Utah
90% admission rate
46% graduation rate
Source: NY Times
Utah State University
97% admission rate
55% graduation rate
Source: The Republic/US News and World Report
Utah Valley University
100% admission rate
18% graduation rate
Source: Provo Daily Herald
Weber State University
100% admission rate
43% graduation rate
Source: The Republic/US News and World Report
As you can see by the numbers, the admission rate does not necessarily correlate with the graduation rate. The numbers are evidence of a broader problem. It is likely a state-wide cultural problem. In Utah, we have many high school gets that get into college, but we do not have a lot of people complete college. The reason is readiness for college.
According to the Education Working Paper from the Manhattan Institute, Utah ranks near the top for high school graduation, but in the lower third in readiness for college. It should go without saying that is someone is not ready for college, that person is less likely to graduate. In the long run, roughly 75% of Utah kids go to college, only 25% of Utahans have a degree.
This has been know for several decades, but the solutions to this problem have been a matter of debate for decades. Perhaps, higher standards for admission to the state's flagship university are part of the solution and maybe it is not. Certainly if the University of Utah would raise it's admission standards, may Utah school districts would raise their graduation standards. But wouldn't it be logic that the graduation rates at Utah high schools would fall?
Howard Stevenson said something last fall that a lot of people, including this blogger ridiculed. Perhaps he would have made more sense if he said it differently. But look at the numbers. About 2/5's of Utah families are going to earn an acceptable living without a college degree. Therefore, it is senseless to push so many of our high school students to college. Therefore, why not push an 70/80% admission rate to Utah Colleges where now we have a 90/100% admission rate? With fewer unprepared students hitting our colleges and universities, more resources can be dedicated to the students who can not quite make it in the current system. The total number of college graduates could increase by admitting fewer students.
How will that work? Class sizes will be smaller. Guidance counselors will have a lighter work load. Students that can be helped through college will get the help they need. Fewer will fall through the cracks.
True, there will be less tuition collected from college students, but it may be costing and not helping Utah's colleges to deal with such a load of unprepared students.
Another help will be a greater emphasis on helping students return to college to finish. Circumstances arise that prevent even the best college students from completing their schooling. But when their career dead-ends with out a degree, why not help them finish at that time? This is a role that Weber State University and Utah Valley University can better fulfill than the research-intensive University of Utah.
Everyone needs some sort of training beyond high school, and it is irresponsible for government to assume that this will all be on-the-job training. Therefore, the state needs to put more resources into the junior college and vocational training systems. But the state also need to ensure that a greater number of high school students are ready for college. That will be the key.
Posts
