Re: data on college graduation rates

[Gerald Bracey <gbracey@starpower.net>]

Peter,

I think the conventional wisdom holds that 50% of all students
who start college get a degree within 6 years.  I think that
is a figure that actually came from a study, but I couldn't
name it.  Even so, given the way even public institutions are
differentiated with a state, it would seem its not a
meaningful stat. and the only purpose that I've seen it put to
is to cluck about it and beat up on schools.

I've probably mentioned this before, but that the 50%
completion rate is seen as bad reflects a change in values.  I
recall the first convocation at William & Mary, the dean of
men proudly telling us that 50% of us wouldn't make.  The
implication was clear: We might be a public college but we've
got standards, by god.

Jerry