How do we meet the diverse needs of the 21st century scholar and meet the President’s 2020 goal of once again leading the world in college graduation rates.
Secretary Duncan speaks at the College Completion Symposium. Official Department of Education photo by Leslie Williams.
This is the challenge Secretary Duncan posed to researchers, policy experts, and practitioners from 30 postsecondary institutions from across the country who shared evidence-based best practices and ideas during a one-day symposium on college completion at the U.S. Department of Education on Monday.
“All the good ideas are out there with you guys,” Duncan said. “I urge you to be creative and thoughtful.”
If there was one important takeaway from the presentations and discussions, it was that one size does not fit all.
Tom Brock, Director of the Young Adults and Postsecondary Education Policy Area from the nonprofit MDRC, presented results from studies looking at student services programs to address the benefits of “increasing the amount of counseling and advising students receive and attaching students to tutoring services on campus.”
Regina Bain, Regional Vice President of the nonprofit organization Posse Foundation, said she learned a lot from the various institutions represented at the symposium.
“I appreciated the idea of online coaching tools. I really believe in one-on-one, intensive, multilayered coaching and advising for individuals,” she said.
The symposium is one more step in ED’s commitment to meeting the President’s 2020 goal, and ensuring that America’s graduates are prepared for the jobs of the 21st century.
Click here to read President Obama’s Blueprint for making college more affordable.
Natalie Torentinos is an intern in the Office of Communications and Outreach
Source Article from http://www.ed.gov/blog/2012/01/experts-convene-for-college-completion-symposium-at-ed/
