" by the Minnesota
Office of Higher Education shows that improvements also are needed
urgently in higher education. It is on-line, at
www.ohe.state.mn.us/mPg.cfm?pageID=1733

The surprising news comes in looking at graduation rates, whether at
Minnesota's two or four year institutions. Let's start with two-year
programs. As of 2005, 65.7 percent of South Dakota's students who
entered a two-year institution graduated within 3 years. Alaska, which
ranked second, had a three-year graduation rate of 57.4%, and Wyoming
(third) had 56.7%.

Minnesota ranked 24th, with a three-year graduation rate in our
community and technical colleges of 34%. That's 30% below South
Dakota. Yikes!

According to Minnesota Measures, as of 2006, Minneapolis Community
Technical College had a 19.1% three year graduation rate, with another
20.9% transferring to another institution. Anoka Technical's 3 year
graduation rate was 42.2%, with another 10.9% of students transferring
to another institution. Anoka Ramsey's 3 year graduation rates was
14.4%, with 41.8% of students transferring. Other three-year graduation
rates include Alexandria Technical (58.9%), Central Lakes (40.3%)
Hennepin Tech (44.2%), Inver Hills, 12.2%, Normandale, 12.3%, North
Hennepin 17.5%, Rainey River 25.4%, Rochester Community and Technical
College 26.5%, St. Cloud Technical College 49.1%, and St. Paul College
43.2%.

The picture is not a lot better with many of our four-year
institutions. As of 2005, Rhode Island, (52.%), Delaware (51.8%) and
Massachusetts (51.2%) were the top three in four-year graduation.
Minnesota ranks 21st with a four year graduation rate of 35%!

Even extending graduation out six years, Minnesota, with a 58.0
graduation rate, ranks 18th. Massachusetts tops the nation, with 68.6%.

Here are a few examples of four and six year graduation rates for public
and private four year colleges/universities in 2006: Augsburg College,
31.8% & 51.8%, Bemidji State 28.2 & 45.5%, Carleton, 88.1% & 92.8,%
College of St. Catherine, 39.7 & 56.9%, St. Cloud State, 19.3% & 46.0%,
St. Olaf, 54.9% & 65.7%, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 32.5% &
60.7%, Winona State, 26.5% & 54.3%.

The report shows that Minnesota ranks 5th in the nation with 65.3% of
2004 high school graduates who ENROLLED in a two or four year higher
education institution. About 50% of that 65.3% enter a Minnesota
college or university, with the rest going to a higher education
institution outside Minnesota.

Comparable figures for North Dakota were (67.6%) and South Dakota
(68.8%). Would you have predicted that a higher percentage of high
school graduates in those two states would go on to a college or
university? Not me.

Overall we are doing pretty well in helping students enter higher
education. But graduation rates are far too low.

While there is an achievement gap among students of different races,
only 36% of white students who entered two-year colleges graduated in
2006, after 3 years (comparable figure for African Americans is 16%).

These are stunning, shocking statistics. We need much more discussion
and action on higher education graduation rates.