School income is a key factor in determining whether students enroll in college after graduation, according to data from the National Student Clearinghouse. An analysis of college-enrollment numbers among high-school students from public, private and charter schools revealed that wealthier schools have higher college-enrollment rates.
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The Every Student Succeeds Act requires schools to report certain postsecondary data publicly -- to the extent possible -- but states are interpreting that guidance differently. For example, 32 states include college-enrollment rates on school report cards, and 16 of these states break down data by student subgroup.
College-enrollment managers are trying to navigate the effects that the pandemic is having on admissions, such as low-income and international students being admitted but unable to enroll and changes in high-school transcripts that may affect financial aid eligibility. Meanwhile, a survey released last week showed the coronavirus is causing 25.7% of high-school seniors to reconsider their college choice and about one-third to look at schools closer to home.
A new mobile application uses personalized texts to encourage "under-resourced" high-school students to stay on track with the college-enrollment process and overcome the so-called summer melt. The app, code-named "Bridgit," is aimed at helping students manage the long list of tasks leading to the first day of college, including loan acceptance, registering for courses and attending orientation.
A monthlong campaign is under way in Denver schools to interest more high-school students in Advanced Placement and college-level courses. College fairs, visits from alumni and other activities are part of the district's efforts to boost its graduation and college-enrollment rates. "Our first and foremost goal is to graduate students prepared for college and careers," schools chief Tom Boasberg said. "We know a key element to that is rigor."
About 35% of students who graduated from Florida high schools in 2009 did not plan to enroll in college, according to a recent state report -- higher than the national average of 30%. In 2008, 33% of Florida students said they planned to skip college. State officials say they are focused on improving college-enrollment numbers, and have vowed to double by 2015 the percentage of students who attend at least one year of college -- part of their application for federal Race to the Top funds.