Collaboration Across Educational Systems:

The challenge and opportunity

Michael MeottiCommissioner, Department of Higher EducationApril 28, 2009

The Societal Value of Educational Attainment

• Studies document a wide variety of positive societal outcomes associated with a higher level of education within a community

• The education level drives the economic future of a region or state– Differences in educational attainment level and patents explain

variations in average income across the fifty states (FRB of Cleveland)

– Each 1% change in educational attainment relates to a 2.3% difference in the economy of a metro region (FRB of New York)

A Closer Look at the Economic Impact

• The result of an increase of 1% in the education level:– Connecticut: $5 billion more economic activity each year

• Fairfield County: $ 1.8 billion• Greater Hartford: $1.6 billion• Greater New Haven: $800 million• Southeastern CT: $300 million

• Is there any other economic development strategy that can come close to this level of impact?

The Risk of Falling Behind

• Connecticut has a history of leading the nation in the share of the population with a BA degree

• Our education level has been growing but our competitive posture has slipped– 1st in 1990 – 27.2%– 4th in 2000– 31.4%

• “New England 2020” report projects that status quo will lead to an actual decline in education level, not just a competitive weakening

Where is the Opportunity to Turn this around?

• First year college students who have graduated from high school but are not ready for college-level academic work– 80% of community college students test as needing remediation in

either math or English– 50+% of CSU students test into either remedial or developmental

math• National studies show that these students are not likely to graduate• CSU six year graduation rate: 43%• Community colleges three year graduation rate: 10%• College access is not enough, college success is the goal

College readiness is a widespread challenge

We Share this Challenge

• “Your students were our students just months ago”– Almost 60% of college-bound CT high school seniors will enroll in

a CT college (public or private)

– About two-thirds of these students enroll at a CSU campus or community college

• “Our students will be your teachers”• Working together increases the chance for success– Success stories emerging around the country and in CT

The Partnership Opportunity

• Some school districts send a high percentage of their college bound graduates to one college– 60% of Bridgeport’s college-bound students enroll at Housatonic Community

College• Some colleges receive a high percentage of their first year

class from a group of nearby towns– 1/3 of WCSU students come from 4 towns– 1/3 of SCSU students come from 8 towns– 1/3 of CCSU students come from 12 towns

• Some regions include a group of colleges and high schools that form a natural platform for partnership– The 5 community colleges in central Connecticut draw half of their full time students

from 10 towns

Western Connecticut State University

Capital Community College

Drive time to community colleges

Drive time to CSU campuses