The College Completion Agenda: 2011 Progress Report. Latino Edition

When the Commission on Access, Admissions and Success in Higher Education (subsequently referred to as the commission) convened in fall 2008, the educational landscape was facing a number of issues that the commission's members recognized as formidable challenges to those students who aspire to enroll and succeed in college. Summarizing the commission's 2008 report, "Coming to Our Senses: Education and the American Future," college and high school completion rates had dropped dramatically; the number of adults with postsecondary credentials was not keeping pace with other industrialized nations; and significant disparities existed for low-income and minority students. As such, the commission was faced with two key questions: What must be done to improve the nation's educational system, and how will individuals know if the changes that are made are successful? Echoing the findings of other key educational policymakers, the commission declared that it is critical--and thus should be a primary goal--that 55 percent of the nation's young adults attain an associate degree or higher. The commission further offered a 10-part action plan in the form of 10 recommendations. The commission noted that these recommendations are so important they must be measured on a regular basis to help individuals understand the state of the educational landscape in the nation and how it changes over time. The commission also noted the importance of erasing disparities to reaching the nation's college completion goal. Latinos are now the largest minority group in the United States and the fastest growing population in the country. However, only 19.2 percent of Latinos ages 25 to 34 years old have obtained an associate degree or higher. The nation cannot reach its college completion goal without increasing college completion for this important group. This report is designed to illustrate the degree to which Latinos are moving toward--or away from--taking the necessary steps for ensuring an educated Latino community. Data Book is appended. (Contains 101 figures and 127 footnotes.) [For related report, "The College Completion Agenda: State Policy Guide. Latino Edition," see ED524570.]