Making our country stronger, one graduate at a time
6/19/2013
Preparing students to succeed in post-secondary education is a key issue in Florida and across the country. The Lumina Foundation is at the forefront of showing how important it is, setting a "Big Goal" that by 2025, 60 percent of Americans will have a high-quality postsecondary credential. According to their report, "A Stronger Nation Through Higher Education," education is the key to opportunity, prosperity, economic security and the strength of our democracy. Lumina releases a report every year to track the nation's progress.
The most recent report shows that in Florida, nearly 37 percent of the state's 9.5 million working-age adults hold at least a two-year degree. The trend that Lumina is projecting for 2025 is only 46 percent, leaving a big gap from the "Big Goal" of 60 percent. In order to reach that goal, Lumina says that the state needs to increase the number of people getting postsecondary education by 7 percent annually - or a total of 2,843,880 additional degrees. In addition to ensuring access to high-quality education in all counties, we (Florida) need to increase college success in groups such as working adults, low-income and first generation college students and students of color.
This report hit home for me, because I recently graduated from Florida State College at Jacksonville with my associate's degree. As a ONE in THREE featured student, I am a first-generation college graduate and a working adult. Education and the people committed to seeing me succeed saved my life. (You can read more about my story here.)
We must, as a nation, be committed to decreasing this gap. But it's going to take becoming informed, joining the conversation and being involved in making sure a quality education is accessible for all students!
- Allishia Edmonds