State board committed to go-on goal, despite discouraging progress

Idaho’s state Board of Education remains committed to its “go on” goal, that Idahoans go on to further education beyond high school, President Don Soltman told JFAC this morning. “The board set a goal in 2010 that 60 percent of all Idahoans ages 25-34 hold a post-secondary certificate by the year 2020,” he said. But progress toward that 60 percent goal hasn’t been encouraging. In 2012, Idaho was at 42 percent; in 2013, 41 percent; in 2014, 40 percent.

“While a 2 percent decrease year over year is not statistically significant, neither is it trending in the right direction,” Soltman said. “Admittedly, the 60 percent goal is a stubborn needle to move.”

He said the board has a “three pronged approach” to increase the go-on rate: Streamlining the college application process; controlling the cost of college, and boosting state financial aid. That first piece includes the new “direct admission” program, in which students are being notified in advance that they’ll be admitted to Idaho universities or community colleges, based on their qualifications, before they even apply.

Soltman also said 2015-16 tuition increases at Idaho public universities were the lowest in 15 years.

He told lawmakers, “We must maintain a sense of urgency” on implementing the 20 recommendations of the governor’s education improvement task force. The board wholeheartedly backs Gov. Butch Otter’s budget proposals to move forward on those next year, he said, including investing in teacher pay, classroom technology, a new literacy push, college and career advising and more.