February 1, 2001

High school diplomas on rise

New Census Bureau figures show that American adults are getting better educated.

Of Americans age 25 and older this year, a record-high 84.1 percent had at least a high school degree. That figure is up from 83.4 percent in 1999 and 24.5 percent in 1940, the earliest records available, according to the Census report

Think about those figures: 24.5 percent in 1940 and 84.1 percent this year. In addition, 25.6 percent of those age 25 and older have graduated from college, also a new high. That figure is up from 4.6 percent in 1940.

The report is in line with other studies on Americans’ educational attainment, typically showing about a 1 percentage point increase in degree holders each year, according to Census analyst Eric Newburger.

"It’s largely because students realize that in order to exist in today’s economy, they definitely have to a high school degree. And what’s interesting is that while rates have gone up, the grade requirements are much stiffer," said Kathleen Lyons, spokeswoman for the National Education Association. "So it’s good news all around."

Former Education Secretary Richard Riley has said that his department has worked with local schools and community organizations to help make college more affordable as more students recognize the importance of continuing their education beyond high school.

Nationally, the report showed that education levels increased among whites, blacks and Hispanics, but a wide disparity still existed among the three racial and ethnic groups.

This year, 88.4 percent of non-Hispanic whites graduated from high school, compared with 78.9 percent of non-Hispanic blacks and 57 percent of Hispanics.

Challenges remain before we are able to reach all young people. But it’s very encouraging that the figures are all moving in the right direction.