Our Challenge

Every year, millions of students work hard to earn acceptance into colleges, universities and credential programs. Yet despite their best efforts, nearly half of all students are not graduating. As a nation, we are not providing students with the support needed to succeed academically while balancing life, family and work demands.

“Millions of students work hard to earn their place in school, but far too few are graduating – only half achieve a degree or credential within six years.”

Why Act Now?

In the coming decade, two-thirds of all new jobs will require some level of college education. Our current workforce does not have the skills to fill these new jobs. Worse, the fastest growing segments of our society, including those from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds, are also those with the lowest educational attainment.

“By 2019, a majority of the U.S. population under 18 will be comprised of African–American, Asian American and Pacific Islander and Hispanic youth.”

To meet the demands of the labor force and fill the projected completion gap, we must do more for all. Unless we act now, the U.S. will see for the first time in history a generation of Americans who are less educated than the generation before them. We can do better.