The Numbers Don’t Tell the Whole Story

The first graduate of the University of Idaho’s computer science bachelor’s degree partnership with North Idaho College, Adrian Beehner, crossed the stage this week to a bright future in our increasingly tech-focused economy. Without leaving Coeur d’Alene, the newly minted Vandal graduate was able to seamlessly transfer from NIC to earn a four-year degree from U of I. For Adrian, his family, his future employers and the region, his story matters a great deal. Unfortunately, in one key way, Adrian’s success doesn’t count. Adrian’s accomplishments matter very much – he’s grown as a thinker and leader, acquired new skills and gained a necessary credential for a solid financial future. But the federal government doesn’t count his success. Federal graduation data does not count transfer, part-time or returning students in official graduation rates. Only full-time students, starting and finishing at the same institution, are counted in the data.