Even more worrisome, perhaps, is that Vermont's continuation rate lags the comparable national rate by 4 percentage points. When we began our Senior Survey in 1978, we also lagged the national rate, but then equaled or overtook it through the 1980s and early 1990s. In the last few years, however, Vermont's rate has decreased. It's too early to say a new trend of declining postsecondary enrollment among Vermont students is emerging. Affordability is a critical factor in determining whether students continue their studies after high school.
Many students are reluctant to go deeply into debt to meet college costs.
We need to watch this situation closely if we don't want Vermont high school graduates to slip behind other young adults around the nation.