|
College Graduations
The Florida State Board of Education oversees the state's 28 public community colleges and 39 technical centers. Florida's community colleges encompass 61 campuses and 177 sites that are within commuting distance for more than 90 percent of the state's residents. These institutions were established to serve the citizens of Florida by offering the first two years of a baccalaureate degree, vocational education, and adult continuing education.
The Board of Governors of the State University System oversees Florida's public universities. These institutions were established 'to achieve excellence through teaching students, advancing research and providing public service for the benefit of Florida's citizens, their communities and economies.' (Florida Constitution, Article IX, Section 7)
Why Is This Important?
Community colleges provide access to higher education in terms of affordability, geographical proximity and an 'open door' admissions policy for over 800,000 students annually. Since a majority of the fastest growing jobs in this decade will be in occupations that do not require a baccalaureate degree, but do require postsecondary education, community colleges are uniquely positioned to have a major impact on the future of Florida.
The State University System graduates many of the state's business, political and community leaders and is the primary economic development engine for Florida. Nearly 300,000 students are pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees that will dramatically increase their lifetime earnings: 21 of the 25 highest-paying jobs in the state require at least a bachelor degree, and 18 require a graduate credential as well. Every year Florida's public universities also patent more than 100 inventions, provide cutting-edge medical care to citizens of the state, develop critical new technologies for Florida agriculture, and bring in more than $600 million for federal research projects that employ thousands of people.
How Is Florida Doing?
Community Colleges are the primary point of access to higher education in Florida.
• One out of every 22 Floridians is enrolled in a community college.
• Fifty-eight percent of Florida's high school graduates who continue their education directly after high school enroll in a Florida community college.
• Thirty-five percent of bachelor's degree recipients in the state university system are transfer students from community colleges.
• The majority of under-represented (or minority) students in higher education begin in a community college.
• Florida's community colleges lead the nation in the annual number of associate's degrees awarded.
• Florida's community colleges offer baccalaureate degrees in several critical majors including nursing and teaching.
• Community colleges and Technical Centers are meeting critical workforce needs in Florida.
• Sixty-six percent of district certificate completers in 2007-08 were employed in Florida by fall 2008.
• Eighty-one percent of community college A.S. degree completers in 2007-08 were employed by fall 2008.
• In 2007-08 Fifty-four percent of completers in workforce programs were in high-wage, high-skill programs.
• Forty-nine percent of all recipients of baccalaureate degrees in education from a public institution started at a Florida community college.
• State universities are producing a better educated workforce at a reasonable cost.
• State universities are producing a better educated workforce and generating new ideas for Florida's economy at a reasonable cost.
• One out of every 61 Floridians is currently enrolled at a state university.
• The State University System granted over 68,000 degrees in 2007-08. About three-quarters of these were bachelor's degrees, and the other one-quarter were graduate and professional degrees.
• The State University System has five out of six of the state's M.D. programs as well as its only veterinary and dental colleges.
• The percentage of Floridians obtaining a bachelor's degree or higher increased from 24.1 percent in 2002 to 24.8 percent in 2008.
• In 2006, universities conducted $649 million in federally financed research and development, representing a 120 percent increase over 2000, when research and development expenditures were $249 million.
• Research at Florida's universities has produced significant breakthroughs in fields as diverse as cancer treatment, hurricane prediction, biofuel production, and reading education.
Scorecard
What Influences College Graduations?
College graduation rates are primarily influenced by the student. If the student was prepared for college and entered the institution ready to pursue the area of study chosen, they are more likely to succeed and earn their degree.
However, there are factors than can lead to dropping out of college. Once enrolled, financial events may lead to college becoming unaffordable for families and limited access to financial aid could make the continued pursuit of a degree impossible. Those who prepared well in high school and perhaps earned scholarship funds, or whose families were able to save for college expenses (such as purchase pre-paid college plans), have a greater chance to finish college.
The availability of guidance counseling can also help students through difficult or uncertain periods.
What Is the State's Role?
The State of Florida is committed to providing the best post-secondary education and training possible at the most affordable cost. Providing adequate funding and other support to the state's 28 public community colleges, 39 technical centers and 11 universities is a core mission for the state.
For More Information
|
