2. Goal 2025: To increase the proportion of Americans with degrees, certificates, and other high-quality credentials to 60% by the year 2025.

3. WHERE ARE WE?

4. Degree Attainment in the US

5. Degree Attainment in the US: Young Adult Growth

7. Degree Attainment by Race/Ethnicity

8. Attainment by Race/Ethnicity: Changes Since 2008

10. Degrees

12. Goal 2025: To increase the proportion of Americans with degrees, certificates, and other high-quality credentials to 60% by the year 2025.

13. Goal 2025: To increase the proportion of Americans with degrees, certificates, and other high-quality 1 credentials to 60% by the year 2025. 1 High-quality credentials have clear and transparent learning outcomes leading to further education and employment.

14. CertificatesCertifications Result from an educational processResult from an assessment process For newcomers and experienced professionals Typically requires some professional experience Awarded by educational program providers or institutions Awarded by third party, standard- setting organization Indicates completion of a series of courses with a specific focus Indicates mastery/competency as measured against a set of standards – usually application or exam. May not require coursework or a prescribed academic program Usually listed on a resume (Nutrition Assistant, Early Childhood, Bookkeeping) May include designation after one’s name (CRMA, CPWA, CFP, CPA) Typically awarded for life (like a degree) Time-limited, renewed through recertification process May provide the basis and gateway for achieving a degree No relationship with attaining higher education or degree

15. Counting Certificates: How did we do it? National Estimate: GEMEnA developed instrument NORC at the University of Chicago

16. National Certificate Attainment = 4.92% National Attainment = 45.3%

17. Attainment Rate by Race/Ethnicity

18. WHAT DO WE KNOW?

19. Value Very Important 79%African Americans 78%Hispanics 66%White The proportion of Americans who believe that increasing higher education attainment is necessary to the nation.

20. Importance of Credential Adults value postsecondary credentials

21. Credentials = Employment

22. 41% Overall Credentials = Quality of Life

23. Returning Adults Hispanics (78%) are more inclined to say it is important for people to go back and complete degree programs. −General population, 59% −Blacks, 53%

24. BUT… When asked of those who do not have a degree if they would like to complete a degree one day only 47% overall said YES 33% Blacks 32% of Hispanics 54% Whites Of those without a degree only 3.8% of Hispanics between 25 and 54 are enrolled (general population is 5% and Blacks is 7%)

25. Barriers to Postsecondary Education

26. Do you think education beyond high school is available/affordable to anyone in this country who needs it?

27. States

28. Goal Setting 27 states have set specific and challenging attainment goals. 14 of these states have enacted formal policy and/or legislation focused on closing attainment gaps for underrepresented populations

30. Counting Certificates: How did we do it? State Estimates: Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce