Alaskans kids not on the path of higher education - KTVA

Alaskans kids not on the path of higher education - KTVA

A new study released by the Alaska Commission on Post Secondary Education shows Alaskans kids are not on the path of higher education. In fact, a high rate don't even make it out of high school.

Stacked up against the rest of the nation, Alaska's children are near the bottom, when it comes to high school graduation rates and college success. Those stats are causing a lot of educators to sit up and take notice.

The numbers are staggering:

"For every 50 Alaskan ninth graders, 31 will graduate high school, 14 will go to college and nine will return to college after their first year. Only three will get their college degree within six years."

Personally, I just don't think you can compare Alaska to other states.

Despite our extremely low ranking in college completion, our average income remains above the national average. Many jobs in Alaska, just don't require a college education. There are plenty of workers who make way more money welding up on the north slope, than they ever would if they got a degree at old State U.

Having said that, Alaska's reliance on oil and fishing as core industries will not last forever. If our state is wise we will start transitioning our priorities now.