College Completion Agenda

Reestablish the United States as a global leader in education and ensure that fully 55% of Americans hold a postsecondary credential by 2025.

About this Project

A well-educated population is essential to maintaining a strong democracy, as well as our global competitiveness and economic future. But in less than two decades, an alarming education deficit has dropped the international standing of the United States from first to 21st out of 27 advanced nations in high school completion. We must take immediate action to reverse this fall from the top ranks of countries with a college-educated workforce.

Visit the College Completion Agenda website

Our Progress

What We've Accomplished

Established a 28-member commission composed of college presidents, university chancellors, admissions and enrollment deans, school counselors, administrators and other education experts to make recommendations for strengthening the educational pipeline throughout a student's trajectory from preschool to college completion

Shared the commission’s findings at a series of high-profile events, conferences and meetings throughout 2009 to garner support for its recommendations

With distinguished researchers and thought leaders, identified quantifiable indicators that will track the annual progress made on each of the 10 recommendations and the commission's goal.

In collaboration with the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL), released a state policy guide to identify legislative policies, provide examples of state programs and offer practical advice aligned to each of the commission's recommendations.

Conducted a series of “Capital Campaigns” involving thought leaders and policy makers highlighting effective and successful policies and practices that improve student completion.

Published three annual reports (2010, 2011 and 2012) and a Latino Edition measuring progress toward increasing the proportion of youth with a postsecondary credential to 55% by 2025.