Planning for Completion

Completion by Design Kickoff Meeting	Dr. Carpenter, Chancellor, LSCS	Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grant
Texas Senator Jeff Wentworth	Texas Representative Dan Branch	Education Statistics in the U.S.

This team of Texas colleges led by Lone Star College System will work to transform community college policy and student success initiatives for the state. Completion by Design has the potential to significantly redesign higher education across the country and help increase college degree attainment in the U.S.

Today, community colleges like Lone Star College serve nearly 11 million students, and enrollment has surged as the recession caused many Americans to return for additional training and education. Community colleges also are evolving to serve today's students, who often are older and work full- or part-time to support families while attending school to obtain a degree or credential.

But too many students never finish. According to recent federal data, just 22 percent of first-time, full-time students in community college graduate in three years. For Hispanics and African-Americans, the rates are even worse, at 17 percent and 14 percent, respectively.

Solving this problem is important for students, the economy and the country. A report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce forecasts that, by 2018, 63 percent of jobs will require at least some postsecondary education. The report also shows that, without a dramatic change in course, the labor market will be short 3 million educated workers over the next eight years.

As the managing partner for Texas, Lone Star College has demonstrated its commitment to using evidence-based best practices for improving student outcomes; a long history of using innovative technology to increase student achievement and experience using data to make informed practice and policy changes.

Statewide Advisory Board Contact List

Ex Officio Members