Declining student populations have plagued the higher ed sector in recent years, and college enrollment has yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels. At the same time, colleges are preparing for an expected dropoff in high school graduates beginning next year due to declining birth rates.
Now, the sector is grappling with its latest hurdle — a cohort of high schoolers who are increasingly missing benchmarks that signify college readiness.
“Even if enrollments appear to stabilize after pandemic lows, declines in elementary and secondary school learning and proficiency may present additional future challenges for postsecondary education,” WICHE said.
