Common Agenda: Increasing Educational Attainment in Ottumwa

Urgency for Change:

By 2025, 68% of all Iowa jobs will require at least some college; a college diploma/certificate, an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree or advanced degree (Iowa: Education and Workforce Trends through 2025, Carnevale et. Al, 2015). According to census data, only 24.1% of Ottumwa, IA's population over the age of 25 has an associate’s degree or higher. In order to meet this demand for educated workers, as well as build and sustain a vibrant and healthy community, C3 must ensure that all students know and understand the steps to pursue and complete a college degree or credential.

Purpose:

C3 will:

• Create a college-going culture in the community that values degree and/or credential completion.
• Identify and remove barriers that prevent students from pursuing college degrees and/or credentials.
• Coordinate a set of college access and success services and activities that encourage the pursuit and completion of college degrees and/or credentials.
• Inform Ottumwa, IA residents about pathways that lead to local employment and careers.

Goals:

1. Increase the percentage of Ottumwa, IA 8th grade students who intend to pursue college degrees or credentials.
2. Increase the percentage of Ottumwa, IA graduating seniors who enroll in a college degree or credential program anytime during the first year after high school.
3. Increase the percentage of Ottumwa, IA graduating seniors who complete college degrees or credentials within six years of high school.
4. Increase the percentage of Ottumwa, IA residents who have college degrees and/or credentials by the next census.

Shared Objectives and Metrics:

• Ensure that Ottumwa, IA students, who intend to pursue college degrees and/or credentials in 8th grade, maintain their commitment to do so in high school and subsequently enroll in postsecondary education.
• Increase the percentage of Ottumwa, IA students who take college entrance exams during high school.
• Increase the percentage of Ottumwa, IA graduating seniors who complete the FAFSA by July 1.
• Increase the percentage of 11th grade students who meet Iowa Assessment proficiency levels in reading and math.
• Increase the percentage of Ottumwa, IA students who persist for a second year of postsecondary education.
• Increase the percentage of Ottumwa, IA students graduate from an accredited college program.