So What Happened to All of Those 20-Something Students Who Didn’t Complete Their Degree Programs? Bruce Chaloux Southern Regional Education Board

In Short, They are Now 30, 40, 50 Something (or more) and an Integral Part of YOUR Workforce Some left because they were not prepared for the rigors of college studies Some took “College Lifestyle” as a major Some had yet to mature (see above…) Some left to go to work Some left to raise a family All left without securing the credential they originally were hoping to achieve

Some Have Achieved Academic/Career Success Some overcame the “errors” of their youthful year old ways and returned to college Some re-grouped, moved to different institutions and completed degrees (after many years and multiple institutions) Some took alternative paths, developed new skills and are quite successful Some didn’t need or want to continue their education But…too many faced challenges of access, paying for their education (and earlier debt) and balancing family and work responsibilities with their studies

And There are LOTS of These Young Working Adults… Our data suggest that there are upwards of 25 million young adults (25-55) in the 16 SREB states who Have some college but no degree Have completed high school but have not attended college Many now see the value of returning (or attending for the first time) and completing degree studies for Career advancement/promotion Greater compensation/reward Personal achievement/enrichment

Why Should We Be Interested in These Adult Learners? Simply put, education pays!!! For individuals, for employers, for institutions and for states In particular, getting a bachelor’s degree Here are just a few of the ways…

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2005 and Bureau of Economic Analysis State Incomes Related to Adults with Bachelor’s or Higher Degrees 2005 Few states have a low proportion of Bachelor’s degrees and a high per capita income. Few states have a high proportion of Bachelor’s degrees and a low per capita income.

economic unemployment rates and education level, 2004 Source: Employment Policy Institute Less Than High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College B.A. or Higher 9.7% 7.5% 5.1% 4.6%

economic Percent Below Poverty Threshold, 2004 economic Percent Below Poverty Threshold, 2004 Census Bureau 40% 30% 10% 0% Less Than High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College B.A. or Higher 32% 15% 10% 4% 20%

government incarceration rates by education levels 2.5% 2.0% 1.5% 1.0% 0.5% 0.0% Less Than High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College B.A. or Higher 1.9% 1.2% 0.3% 0.1% Percentage Incarcerated Source: Harlow, C.W. (2003). Education and Correctional Populations. Bureau of Justice Statistics, Department of Justice. NCJ

Quality of Life Home Ownership Census Bureau, American Housing Survey for the United States: % 70% 60% 50% Less Than High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College B.A. or Higher 58% 69% 66% 75% Percentage Home Ownership

civic involvement volunteer activity by education levels Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2003). Volunteering in the United States, USDL U.S. Department of Labor. 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Less Than High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College B.A. or Higher 9.9% (48 hours) 21.7% (48 hours) 34.1% (52 hours) 45.6% (60 hours) Percentage Volunteering

participation assistance programs Source: Postsecondary Education Opportunity, May 28, 1997, pg 47. Less Than High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College & Bachelor’s Degree or More 24.3% 10.2% 4.6% Ever Participated in Assistance Programs education level government

So, What Should We Do and How Should We Do It… First, if what we are doing was working, we wouldn’t have millions of young adults without degrees Second, models are emerging in SREB states that hold great promise Third, we have technology and systems in place that can help overcome some of the challenges working adults face Fourth, we can make small investments and have significant payoffs for our states

To Serve Adults Institutions Must Provide… Flexible Programs that Meet Adult Needs Time, Location, Length, Delivery Formats Pathways to Degrees that Give Some Hope of Completion Services Designed to Meet the Needs of Adult Learners (re-designed or new) More Adult-Friendly Policies Credit Transfer/Acceptance Prior Learning Assessment Opportunities Financial Aid/Assistance for “non- traditional learners