Policy Tools

Realizing President Obama's Goal: What Will it Take to Become the Most Educated Country in the World by 2020?

In his inaugural address, President Obama urged us all to work together to regain our status as the most educated country in the work by the year 2020. The U.S. Currently Ranks 10th in the college attainment of young working-age adults (see the International Comparisons section above). A detailed study by NCHEMS indicates that colleges and universities in the U.S. must produce an additional 13.1 million associate and bachelor's degrees by 2020 (above and beyond what they currently produce) in order to meet the goal. This would require an annual increase of 6 percent each year. The interactive model linked below allows you to gauge the levels of improved performance in high school graduation, college going, and college completion needed to achieve the goal.

Meeting Obama's Goal to Become the Most Educated Country in the World - Flash Player required

Racial/Ethnic Inequality in U.S. Higher Education: Annual Progress toward a College Degree

Not only is closing racial/ethnic gaps the right thing to do, but our country's competitiveness in the global economy depends on it. While Whites are disproportionately aging into retirement, the fastest growing segments of our young working-age population are among the least-educated. The interactive model linked below shows the vast racial/ethnic disparities in college participation and completion at each year of age from 18 to 29, and the impact of closing the gaps.

Racial/Ethnic Inequality in U.S. Higher Education - Flash Player required

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