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Fewer than 48% of 2023 public high school graduates in the Mountain State went on to attend college this year, according to a report by the state Higher Education Policy Commission.
Believe it or not, that's an improvement, albeit a slight one.
According to a report by WV MetroNews, HEPC Director of Research and Analysis Zornista Georgieva said this year's 47.4% is almost 1 percentage point higher compared to the 2022 graduating class. In fact, she said the data shows 36 of our state's 55 counties showed increases in their college-going rates in 2023.
Meanwhile, despite their struggles, in-state institutions are still appealing to high school graduates: More than 80% of those who go on to college choose to remain in West Virginia.
Even a small improvement is encouraging in a state that struggles with education as ours does.
More encouraging still is the news that more low socioeconomic students also enrolled in college after graduation.
Educators appear to be making the difference on that front.
"I think this is a good trend that we're looking at. I think it really speaks to the work that our high school counselors and high school staff are doing along with our institutions and our outreach folks," Georgieva said.
Lest anyone dismiss the improvement as inconsequential, imagine what could happen if we make the same small improvement this year, and the next. We've got quite a way to go to get back to the 53.3% recorded for the 2012 high school graduation year -- and wouldn't it be nice if we could sail past that figure?
This is not to say that the traditional, four-year college track is right for everyone. Youngsters today are coming out of high school, entering technical school or apprenticeship programs, and learning the skills to earn a good living. But we are meant to be life-long learners; one of the aspects learned in college is how to continue to learn through life, to be adaptable to new innovations. Being adapt at change will be necessary as our economy evolves at break-neck speed. Higher education plays a role in that. Let's continue to work to ensure we're providing our children with all the tools they'll need for the future.