State Leader Wants To Recognize College Benchmarks

The overseer of Ohio's higher education system is proposing that students should get a career-readiness certificate after one year of college and an associate's degree after two years, even if they're working toward a four-year degree. Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Jim Petro says recognizing those benchmarks could be a way to motivate students to finish college and help them if they leave school to get a job instead. The Plain Dealer in Cleveland reports Petro's priorities include retaining more students and helping more to graduate. Petro recently told the board he wants to implement a number of programs this year, even if university officials are opposed. He says he'll start with pilot programs at Central State University and Shawnee State University, which have low graduation rates. ---