New Report: Promoting Economic Mobility by Increasing Postsecondary Education

Posted by on June 22, 2009

Study calls for targeting poor with higher education assistance

A new Brookings Institution report finds that acquiring a two- or four-year college degree strongly affects an individual’s ability to earn a higher salary and move up the income ladder.

Promoting Economic Mobility by Increasing Postsecondary Education finds adult children from families in the bottom fifth of the income distribution are four times as likely to reach the top fifth if they earn a four-year college degree.

Although the benefits of a college degree are clear, children from low-income families are less likely to enroll in college or to complete degrees once enrolled. The report notes that policies and funding could be better targeted toward students most in need of support.

Report recommendations include improving K-12 achievement and preparation, providing students with better guidance in selecting and paying for college, and helping disadvantaged students stay in college.  For a copy of the report, click here.

http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2009/05_economic_mobility_haskins.aspx