By Tony McVeigh
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-951540.mp3
Frankfort, KY – Right now, 43 percent of college freshmen in Kentucky enter the university needing remediation. And in this tough economy, even students who can handle the academics often find they can't afford college. The colleges and universities want to do more to help, says Council on Postsecondary Education President Robert King.
"Using our resources in higher education to help support the achievement the mission of K-12. And that mission, as you've heard Commissioner Holliday articulate, is to get every student college and or career ready upon graduation."
King says only 57 percent of college freshmen in Kentucky are meeting college readiness standards.
"For those students who enter the university under-prepared, in need of remediation, are graduating at only about half the rate of those students who are coming to us ready to take credit-generating courses."
King outlined an ambitious plan that gets the universities more involved in GED and K-12 programs, including teacher development, internships and research, economic and community outreach programs. King says the schools will have performance targets, and promises lawmakers will get frequent updates on the progress being made.