Kentucky currently has a goal of having 60% of its people hold a post-secondary degree or certification by 2030. It now has an 8% lower baccalaureate degree attainment rate than the national average. An increase in college grads’ employment rates, increased financial security, and a decrease in the use of public assistance programs are all possible outcomes. Kentucky has to ensure that its people are ready for the workforce and close the achievement gap in education.
One of the biggest obstacles to attaining higher education for Kentucky’s community college students is the poor transfer rate to four-year universities. Compared to persons who identify as white, those who identify as Black or Hispanic find it much harder to transfer. For adult learners as well, obtaining a college degree presents challenges. Undergraduate enrollment for adult learners has decreased by 46% in the past ten years.
Communities and institutions need to work together to speed up the transfer process in order to reverse this trend and give Kentucky people more fair educational outcomes. Their joint efforts should be directed on defining the essential requirements and transfer routes. Additionally, academic advisors can increase transfer and on-time graduation rates by over 20% by eliminating informational barriers.
