PHOENIX – Expanding post-secondary accessibility in Arizona could boost the state’s economy by millions of dollars in economic impact, according to a recent study.
The new Unlocking Potential study from the Center for the Future of Arizona showed dual enrollment programs and post-secondary attainment could have major impacts on the economy if made more accessible.
The data showed that more than 90% of Arizona high school students who took a dual enrollment courses pursued a post-secondary education, but noted that number falls to only 48% when talking about all Arizona high school graduates.
Jim Rounds, CEO of the Rounds Consulting Group, told KTAR News 92.3 FM that’s a problem. However, he noted that it could be used to the state’s advantage, with workforce development programs through major companies like TSMC already kickstarting the potential for growth.
“In some states you’ve already done everything you could to try to advance your economy and you’ve peaked,” Rounds said. “In Arizona, I feel like people think that the economy is performing pretty well… and then going forward, we still have more opportunities to gain.”
Rounds added that it needs to be a goal to learn from other programs as well as develop programs and policies that expand economic productivity. He also noted that businesses do play a role in expanding the programs that provide them with workers.
What were other findings from the study on post-secondary accessibility?
In addition, the study showed dual enrollment courses helped students complete college faster, increased the likelihood of completing a degree and caused students to earn around $1 million more in lifetime earnings.
Rebecca Gau with Stand for Children Arizona told KTAR News 92.3 FM it can be hard to get teachers that are permitted to teach dual enrollment classes due to requirements.
“They have to be approved by community colleges, and that means you have to pay the teacher more (and) you have to find teachers with certain credentials,” Gua said.
Gau added expanding dual enrollment access could begin with increasing school funding, which could also help improve the programs overall.
According to Education Forward Arizona, more than two-thirds of Arizonans believe post-secondary access is an issue that needs to be addressed.
Gua emphasized that as long as Arizonans care about post-secondary education, it can be improved.
Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.
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