Record Numbers of High School and College Graduates in 2012

By Hope Gillette, Voxxi

The decline in educational attainment feared by many experts seems to be myth. According to a new report from the Pew Research Center, record numbers of young adults are graduating high school and then completing a college education. For the first time ever, the 2012 school year saw one-third of the nation’s 25- to 29-year-olds graduate with at least a bachelor’s degree.

On average, 90 percent of individuals between 25 and 29 have obtained at least a high school education, and 63 percent have obtained a college education.

Increasing rates of high school and college graduates

Pew reports the graduation rates have increased despite significant changes in the diversity of the nation’s classrooms, and education completion levels are at record highs among minority groups as well.

Hispanics are one such group showing increasing

graduation numbers. As one of the fastest growing minorities in the country, predictions estimate 1 in 4 children in school by the year 2020 will be of Hispanic descent. Recent data for this group shows a graduation increase of 5.5 percent between 2008 and 2009.

A number of factors contributed to the rising number of high school and college graduates, indicates Pew. For one, the recession during 2007-2009 caused many young people to complete education in the face of a bleak job market.

A shift in public approval of college has also played a role, with more individuals agreeing a higher education is necessary for success.

Pew cautions the upward trend is not all positive, however.

Still lagging

While the United States is seeing record numbers of high school and college graduates, other countries are also seeing increasing rates at the same pace—if not a greater pace—than the U.S.

This fact leads many college presidents to believe the United States is lagging when it comes to quality of education.

Part of that issue may be linked to a lack of uniformity within the nation’s schools.

“I think one of the most disturbing realities about the American educational system is the inequalities that exist within that system.” Michigan State University Distinguished Professor Bill Schmidt told CNN. “Where you live happens to be important. What state you live in, what district within that state you live in, what school within that district you go to, even what classroom within a given school … it really matters. And what I mean by that is you are not necessarily expected to learn the same parts of mathematics at that grade level or the same science.”

This article was first published in Voxxi.