OECD Repor Raises Ruckus Over USA Decline in College Outcomes

OECD has a new version of international comparisons of college entry and completion among wealthy nations. The US is tied with New Zealand for the lowest college completion, and younger Americans are going to college at a significantly lower rate than older Americans did. US degree competion rate is 54% compared to an OECD average of 71%, but respected policy analyst Art Hauptman claims OECD does not use proper comparisons. He asserts US rates of college completion are average or below. The OECD figures do not sort out well older students from ages 17-21 entrants. But the report is another indicator that US historical international advantage in postsecondary outcomes is eroding over time. Go to OECD website for more and look for Education at a Glance 2007.