Boost graduation rates

Nearly half of students who enter Utah's four-year colleges and universities do not graduate within six years, a new report shows. Utah's 50.5 percent graduation rate falls within the national average, which is also dismal.

While some of Utah's rate likely can be explained by breaks some students take during college for church missions, it is not the sole reason for the 50 percent completion rate. Graduation rates at Brigham Young University, for instance, were the highest in the state — 78 percent. Westminster College was 54 percent. The only state university that exceeded 50 percent was the University of Utah at 56 percent, according the report by American Enterprise Institute researchers.

Other factors are at work. Some students are ill-prepared for college-level work and may spend a great deal of time in remediation courses. Some students change majors, which lengthens their time in college. Others have to work to put themselves through school and/or to support young families so graduation in six years may not be feasible.

Still other students are miscast in a four-year college experience. Some would benefit more from first attending community college or undertaking applied technology instruction instead of college.

Yet it is every parent's dream to send his or her child to a traditional college, even when there are options that would enable them to be more successful in their educational pursuits and prepare them for the world of work.

Some states fund their systems of higher education based on graduation rates rather than enrollment. Florida community college completion rates went up 43 percent between 1997 and 2007 after a shift from enrollment-based funding to a system that rewards completion rates. Community college enrollment increased 18 percent over the same period.

Other states reward colleges or universities whose graduates fare well on state licensing exams. Some states reward incremental progress such as completing 15 credit hours and passing required math courses.

William A. Sederburg, Utah commissioner of higher education, told the Deseret News he believes state institutions can improve. A task force is exploring how to improve graduation rates and improve student retention.

We look forward to the task force findings and hope the effort results in meaningful change. Utah, like the rest of the states, has been asked by the Obama administration to make marked improvements in college completion rates. President Barack Obama wants the nation to lead the world in college graduation rates by 2020.

It is premature to suggest that Utah alter its funding formula for state colleges and universities. But Sederburg, college and university presidents and the state Board of Regents need to take concrete steps to reverse this unacceptable trend that shortchanges students and work-force needs.