Associated Press Published

Low Community College Graduation Rates Prompt Scrutiny

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As many as two-thirds of West Virginia’s public community colleges are expected to come under increased scrutiny from one of their accreditors because of graduation rates that are lower than half the national average.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports the Council of Regional Accrediting Commissions said in a news release Wednesday that its members will ask four-year institutions with graduation rates at or below 25 percent and two-year institutions at or below 15 percent to show how they are working to improve.

A website operated by the U.S. Department of Education says six of West Virginia’s nine public community colleges have graduation rates below the 15 percent threshold. The average completion rate at community colleges nationwide is 39 percent.

Representatives told the newspaper that West Virginia Community and Technical College System Sarah Tucker could not be reached for comment.