Prairie Public Broadcasting

Legislators, consultants say too much emphasis on four-year colleges BISMARCK, ND (NDPR) - Some members of a legislative interim committee say statistics on graduation rates from North Dakota's four year colleges show the need for more career counseling in elementary and high schools.

The interim Higher Education Committee is looking at the issue. Some recent statistics showed that nearly half of students that enter a four-year school do not get a degree within six years -- and most of them actually leave school.

Rep. RaeAnn Kelsch (R-Mandan) is a member of that committee -- and also chairs the interim Education committee. She says counselors need to explore options other than four year colleges.

"Teachers, superintendents, principals, parents have pretty much got it in their heads that all students need to go to a four-year college," said Kelsch. "And I think that goes back to previous conversations -- that is, getting career counselors into our schools so that students know that you don't just have to go to a four-year college -- you can go to a Bismarck State College or a Wahpeton (State College of Science). There are plenty of good degrees that you can get. Or you can just graduate high school and be workforce ready."

A consultant to the higher-ed committee agrees.

"North Dakota has, as a state, been historically very focused on four-year education," said National Center for Higher Education Management Systems Dennis Jones. "One of the questions I want to put on the table with you is -- how about expanding that -- not upward, but downward, toward much more technical or vocational opportunity in this state."

The interim Higher education committee plans to have further consideration of this issue in later meetings.
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