South Dakota is making gains in college students earning a certificate or similar credentials for specific careers. Those numbers are detailed in a new report measuring how the U-S is faring in attainment after high school.
Lumina Foundation says when factoring in career-related certificates, South Dakota’s overall rate of educational attainment has gone up by 16 percentage points since 2009.
Leaders at Western Dakota Technical College say they’ve seen a nearly 5% increase since 2015 in the number of students graduating on time. School president Ann Bolman says they’ve tried to be more flexible, including providing satellite learning.
“One of the things that we’re doing is taking some of the very high-need skill sets – and that in western South Dakota is nursing – out into smaller communities and establishing satellite programs.”
Debbie Toms is vice president for data strategy and enrollment management at Western Dakota. While more convincing might be needed, she says enrollment growth had coincided with the increase in attainment. She says they’re also mindful of students who have to pause their academic careers.
“We know that life happens. And if there’s something that requires them to leave a little bit earlier than what they originally planned, that they can leave us with a credential that can be used out in the workforce.”
Lumina Foundation says in order to maximize opportunities for future generations, the U-S needs to have 60% of working adults with a college degree or certificate by 2025. The national attainment rate has increased to nearly 54%. South Dakota’s overall rate is slightly higher as it works toward its own goal of 65%.
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