Leaks in the Postsecondary Pipeline: A Survey of Americans

Conducted by Lake, Snell, Perry & Associates for JFF, this survey shows that most Americans recognize that a college degree is critical for economic success, yet they also believe that our education system, particularly its high schools, is failing to prepare young people for higher education. The survey was released at Double the Numbers, a national conference focused on improving the rates of college success for youth who are underrepresented in postsecondary education.

Leaks in the Postsecondary Pipeline also found near-universal agreement that the high number of students who fail to go from high school to complete a college degree is a major problem facing the nation. Moreover, most people appreciate that this problem threatens not only the economic well-being of students who leave school without a college (or even a high school) degree but also the potential of the U.S. economy as a whole.