LITTLE ROCK, Ark – Graduation rates at Arkansas’s 22 two-year colleges have been rising over the past five years, members of Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board (AHECB) learned today, with the percentage of students graduating with an associate degree after three years rising from 14.6 percent in 2005 to 17.2 percent in 2009. Southern Arkansas University Tech in Camden had the highest percentage of graduates at 40.4 percent for students who enrolled in Fall 2006.
Six-year graduation rates at Arkansas’s 11 four-year universities have held steady over the same five-year period, up two-tenths of a percentage point over 2005 at 37.6 percent. The highest six-year graduation rate among the four-year universities is at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville which posted a rate of 57.2 percent.
Dr. Jim Purcell, director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) said the gains in graduation are not as much as he would like to see at this point but that things are moving in the right direction.
“There is a definite upward trend in these figures,” said Purcell, “which is something we certainly want to see. The really good news we are seeing, however, is the sharp upward trend of credentials awarded to students in Arkansas, with an increase of more than 12 thousand more awarded in 2009 than in 2000.”
Figures shown to the board indicated an increase in credentials awarded of 66.5 percent from 2000 to 2009, up from 18,415 to 30,660 during the 10-year period. Credentials range from Certificates of Proficiency to Doctorate Degrees and students may obtain more than one credential over the course of an educational career.
“During this 10-year period there has not been one year which saw a decrease in credentials awarded over the previous year,” said Dr. Purcell. “I think this shows that Arkansans see the value in education and in the credentials awarded by our higher education institutions.”
Following a public hearing, the board approved changes in the rules and regulations of the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship, which provides for scholarships up to $5,000 per academic year for students entering college from high school, students already attending college who are not currently receiving the scholarship, and nontraditional students. The rules are now scheduled to go before a legislative review committee May 14.
In other action, the board approved an amendment to the Tuition Adjustment Policy of 1981, in an effort to have the state funding formula submitted to the General Assembly more accurately reflect the financial need of the state’s 33 two and four-year institutions. The board passed the recommendations of ADHE for the board tuition policy for the 2011-2013 biennium as well.
Also approved was a report on institutional plans in compliance with Act 971 of 2009, which established a requirement that state-supported institutions adopt a developmental exit examination that will provide a score comparable to ACT or SAT scores in order to determine if students are prepared for college-level course enrollment. The board was told the purpose of post-developmental testing is to gather data to give education officials the ability to gauge the effectiveness of developmental courses.
The board approved two new programs for Arkansas Tech University in Russellville: a Master of Arts degree in teaching and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public History. A Degree Center on the campus of Mid-South Community College in West Memphis was also approved for Arkansas Tech University. Board members were told that initially, the educational focus of the degree center would be training for students in the fields of emergency management and homeland security.
National Park Community College in Hot Springs received approval for an Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Care and a Technical Certificate in Paralegal. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock was approved for a Doctor of Philosophy in Integrated Computing and Cossatot Community college of the University of Arkansas in DeQueen was approved for aan Associat4e of Applied Science in Engineering Technology.
Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus received approval of the economic feasibility of a bond issue up to $1.73 million at an estimated annual interest rate of 5.25 percent for up to 30 years. The proceeds are to be used to renovate a student services center.
The University of Central Arkansas in Conway received approval of the economic feasibility of a private line of credit up to $6 million at an interest rate of 4.96 percent to be repaid, if used, by October 28, 2011. Proceeds are to be used to fund current operations.
The meeting of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board was held at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock. The next board meeting is scheduled for July 30 at a site to be determined.
At a reception the night before at the Clinton School of Public Service, board members Phil Ford and Dr. Dan Grant were honored for their years of service to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Both men’s terms expire May 1.
“We thank both of you gentlemen for more than a decade of service to higher education,” said Dr. Purcell during closing remarks today.
For additional information on AHECB agenda items, interested persons may visit www.adhe.edu online or call (501) 683-2078.
