Completion Gap Widens

As Spring Branch ISD realigns itself through the work of Cross-Functional Teams (CFTs) towards its singular goal of doubling the number of students who earn a two-year or four-year degree, a technical certificate or who complete military training, we're often reminded why the work -- and the goal -- are so important. The story below reports on a study's findings that while college enrollment from all income levels is up -- narrowing a gap -- college completion gaps are growing. 

Study: College completion gap between rich, poor widens

By CHRISTINE ARMARIO (Feb. 3, 2015)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The gap in bachelor-degree attainment between the nation's richest and poorest students by age 24 has doubled during the last four decades, according to a report released Tuesday.

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"It's really quite amazing how big the differences have become between those from the highest and lowest family incomes," said Laura Perna, a University of Pennsylvania professor and executive director of the Alliance for Higher Education and Democracy, one of the two organizations that published the study examining college costs and degree attainment.

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Among the report's other findings: The percentage of students from all income levels enrolling in college has increased, shrinking the gap in enrollment between rich and poor "somewhat" during the last four decades. There was a 46-point gap between the two groups in 1970, compared with a 36-point gap in 2012.

But completion gaps are growing: While 99 percent of students entering college from the highest-income families — those making $108,650 or more a year — graduate by 24, just 21 percent of students from the lowest-income families finish by that age.

Perna said there are a number of factors contributing to the widening divide, including access to the information and support needed to enter college and graduate; college readiness; and the availability of higher education that meets people's needs, particularly for students who might have children, limited access to transportation and full-time jobs.

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