Kentucky is one of the least educated states in the nation. This is proven through its low literacy rates and its bottom ranking college degree rate. Luckily, this is an issue the college has recognized. Kentucky started an initiative recently to have 60% of the population acquire some form of postsecondary credential by 2030.
In the five years since this initiative was announced, massive progress has already been made. Underrepresented minorities are seeing increased enrollment and graduation rates across the board. The overall acquisition rate of postsecondary credentials has been steadily rising, with six year graduation rates going up 4.3%. And in 2023, the attainment rate rested at 55%.
These are great strides, and the state is on track to continue this upward trend, but how is this happening? Put simply, Kentucky is taking care of its students. Nationally a majority of students struggle with basic needs insecurity. Kentucky has responded to this issue by providing resources to those that most need it.
Programs that already exist, things like food stamps and monetary assistance programs, are great. However, the state’s prospective plans are much more broad in scope. Kentucky wants to screen for students who need aid, expand social programs, and increase staffing’s capabilities to meet basic needs. These are the prospective programs that are meant to motivate Kentucky to meet its goals.
Currently these plans are still prospective, but the efforts to enact them are already in motion. And this is just one of the many, many ways Kentucky aims to help its students. Other options like better transfer pathways and gateway courses are seeing a similar amount of attention. Yet undeniably, the most basic changes, keeping students stable and safe, are the most important.
Source: Kentucky Student Success Collaborative
