Washington State Looks To Up Its Game On College Completion, And Job Training

Washington has a problem. Nearly 56 percent of students attending four-year public colleges in the state did not graduate within four years, and 71 percent did not graduate from two-year public post-secondary schools within three years, according to a report from the Chronicle of Higher Education.

The need for Washington to up its game is evident in other ways. In a recent draft statute, lawmakers noted that state ranks 47th of 50 in bachelor’s degrees awarded to population aged 20 to 34. As Opportunity Washington has reported, by 2020 some 70 percent of Washington jobs will require postsecondary education or training.

How to help students keep on track once they begin post-secondary classes is a central concern for key stakeholders, and students themselves.