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New State Data Shows Rising Work-Based Learning and Mixed Postsecondary Enrollment Trends
Summary
Iowa'wide postsecondary readiness reports show a sharp increase in high-quality work'based learning participation between the class of 2023 and 2025, while long'term declines continue in immediate postsecondary enrollment rates. The state fully incorporated registered apprenticeship and noncredit community college data into this year's reports.
The Iowa Department of Education previewed updated postsecondary readiness data on Sept. 17 showing two significant trends: a rapid increase in students participating in high-quality work-based learning while in high school, and ongoing declines in the share of high school graduates who enroll in postsecondary education within one year.
Why this matters: The results inform districts, community colleges and employers on whether high school graduates are entering college, training, apprenticeships or the workforce; they also measure persistence and completion across 4- and 6-year windows.
Highlights presented by Jason Crowley, Bureau of Performance and Analytics: - Work-based learning: The percent of seniors with a high-quality work-based learning experience rose from about 25.5% (class of 2023) to 45% (class of 2025), an increase of nearly 20 percentage points. - College credit while in high school: Around 69'70% of the most recent graduating classes earned college credit before high school graduation. - Registered apprenticeships: The report fully integrated registered apprenticeship data; participation among recent graduates rose from 0.3% of the class in 2018 to a peak of 1.3% in 2023 and 1.2% in 2024; top apprenticeship pathways included electrician, nurse assistant and welding. - Immediate postsecondary enrollment: Long-term trend lines show a decline in the percent of graduates enrolling within one year, from about 70% (class of 2012) to 62% (class of 2023). - Completion: The share of graduates who complete a postsecondary credential within 4 years has held near the high 30s, and 6-year completion rates have hovered around 47'48%.
Methodology and changes: The statewide longitudinal data system integrates K'12, community college, Board of Regents and workforce data. This year the reports added noncredit community college enrollment (selected 32+ contact-hour CTE noncredit programs) and fully incorporated apprenticeship records.
What the board asked: Members requested additional context on which student groups enroll and complete, and asked whether students who earn credentials in high school but do not immediately enroll were visible in the metrics. Crowley explained the reports count awards earned prior to graduation in completion metrics, but immediate enrollment rates measure postsecondary activity within one year of graduation.
