The report Not Just Kid Stuff Anymore: The Economic Imperative for More Adults to ...]]>

The number of new high school graduates will plunge in the New England states between now and 2020, according to a new report by the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) and the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS).

The report Not Just Kid Stuff Anymore: The Economic Imperative for More Adults to Complete College forecasts no national growth in the number of high school graduates and declines in the New England states.

Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire are among 13 states nationally that will have 5% to 10% fewer new high school graduates over the decade. Connecticut and Rhode Island are among five that will have 10% to 15% fewer, and Vermont is one of two nationally that will see declines of about 20%.

"Helping workers weather economic downturns, helping employers meet their needs for skilled workers, and competing internationally for high-skilled, high-wage jobs are all important goals that will require we help many more adults complete college credentials," says the study.

Among implications, the study notes: "Congress, state governments, and colleges can all support adult credential completion by recognizing that adult students are a substantial and growing share of the undergraduate student population and adjusting policies accordingly. In particular, it is critical that federal student aid be responsive to the needs of adults who often must juggle work, family and school responsibilities and who are on their own financially."