Carol’s Summary:
Reports show college dropouts are costing taxpayers billions of dollars. Between 2003 and 2008, states appropriated almost $6.2 billion for students who never returned for a second year in four-year colleges and universities. The federal government also spent $1.5 billion and states $1.4 billion on grants for students who didn’t attend their sophomore year.
The results of the report were meant to show the urgency behind increasing college completion rates, but the results might also be used to support the competing theory: forcing students to finish college is wasting taxpayer money.
The Obama administration is changing its focus from making colleges more accessible, to making sure the students who are enrolled are graduating with degrees or certificates. In Ohio, the state is changing strategy and determining funding for public colleges and universities based on college completion rates versus enrollment figures.
Article: College dropouts cost taxpayers billions, report says
Dropping out of college after a year can mean lost time, burdensome debt and an uncertain future for students.
Read the full article at: usatoday.com
