Americas Perfect Storm

1
Americas Perfect Storm

• Three Forces Are Changing Our Future
• Substantial disparities in skill levels in
  reading and math
• Demographic shifts, powered by the highest
  immigration rates in nearly a century many with
  little formal education, lower skills
• Economic changes requiring higher levels of
  skills resulting in widening wage gaps

2

• Half of Americas adults lack literacy skills
  needed for the 21st century.
• High school graduation rates peaked in 1969 at
  77 and have remained in the 70 range since
  1995.
• Average K-12 achievement gaps in both reading and
  math have remained unchanged.

3

• In Washington State
• Only 13 of students who start in ESL programs go
  on to earn some college credits.
• Less than one-third (30) of adult basic
  education (ABE/GED) students make the transition
  to college-level courses.
• At community colleges less than 14 of the
  students who started with a GED earn an advanced
  certificate or an associate degree in five years.
  
• (David Prince Increasing Student Achievement for
  Basic Skills Students State Board for Community
  and Technical Colleges.)

4

• In Skagit County
•  With a population of 116,000 there are 16,356
  adults and children (14.1) living below the
  poverty level. The majority are single mothers
  and their children. (2006 census)
•  
• Residents 25 years and older without a high
  school diploma or GED 1990 9981
• 2000 10,746
• 2006 11,888 (1990, 2000, 2006 census)
•  
• There are 183 students enrolled in ABE/GED
  classes at Skagit Valley College. (fall 2008)
•  
• A total of 590 students take English as a Second
  Language classes at Skagit Valley College. (fall
  2008)