PORTLAND Ore. — Oregonians went back to school in large numbers during the Great Recession, leading to a record for graduates in 2011-2012 from the state’s public universities.
Schools are also doing a better job helping students get the credits they need to graduate, officials said, and dramatic numbers of community college students are making the transition to four-year schools and getting degrees.
The result was 20,209 graduates last school year from the seven universities, The Oregonian (https://bit.ly/W3nrs2) reported Wednesday.
State officials said it’s a sign the state could realize at least one element of its ambitious 2025 educational attainment goals.
“It’s great news, and it certainly helps demonstrate that we are getting on the right trajectory,” said Ben Cannon, education adviser to Gov. John Kitzhaber.
Examples of university strategies to boost graduation:
Western Oregon University saw the biggest percentage yearly growth in bachelor’s degrees year over year, 21 percent.
