The Nebraska P-16 Initiative was created to improve edcuation in Nebraska from preschool through college graduation. One goal of the P-16 Initiative is to improve Nebraska's college going rate to the top 10 tier nationally. Nebraska's college going rate is currently 64.5%, ranking 19th in the nation.
Some of the strategies for achieving the goal include:
1. Disseminating a consistent message to students and families that reinformces the benefits of a college education and how to make college affordable, and that dispels myths about college-going.
The Susan Buffett Foundation provides a scholarship for students that choose to attend a Nebraska College and meets two criteria- a first generation college student (neither parent attended college) and low income. All students that meet the criteria receive this scholarship.
Also, state colleges waive tuition for all Nebraska students that qualify for Pell grants (low income). Not being able to afford college is not a good reason for not going on.
2. Ensure that high schools offer activities that promote a college access pathway. Bancroft-Rosalie currently offers dual credit (college and high school credit) opportunities for students. Generally, if students receive nine or more hours of college credit before starting college, they are more likely to attend college.
Most of the information for this article comes from the Education Quest Foundation.
