Cal State Unveils Plan to Increase Graduation Rates for Students of Color: An initiative aimed at increasing the graduation rates of under-represented students at the nation’s largest university system has critics concerned some provisions will dilute quality education and exacerbate existing gaps.
The California State University Board of Trustees on Wednesday unveiled the plan, part of the national Access to Success project, aimed at cutting by half the gap in the college-going and graduation rates of low-income and minority with that of Whites by 2016. CSU also wants to increase degree attainment by 8 percent overall, officials said. However, it remains to be seen how the state will implement goals with a strained budget.
All 23 campuses will be tasked with devising a strategy for their individual institutions to raise the six-year graduation rate from 46 percent to the national average of 54 percent. The goal is to graduate 7,000 to 8,000 more students each year, CSU Chancellor Dr. Charles Reed told the Los Angeles Times.
