2016 Snapshot on Education Released
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Big Goal Collaborative, a Vision 2020 initiative led by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, released the 2016 Snapshot on Education in Northeast Indiana at the Big Goal Education Summit at Sweetwater Sound. The Snapshot is an annual data-based report on cradle-to-career educational work in the region.
Research shows that more than 60 percent of jobs will soon require post-secondary education in the form of a two- or four-year degree or credential. Currently, Northeast Indiana’s workforce is at 38 percent. The Big Goal Collaborative is a collaboration of businesses, community partners and educators in Northeast Indiana who have rallied around a common goal: 60 percent by 2025.
Thanks to the progressive work of regional leaders throughout Northeast Indiana, many key indicators tracked by the Big Goal demonstrated region-wide improvements. Specifically, the region has seen improvements in high-quality early learning enrollment, which increased by 1 percent and high school graduation rates, which increased by .7 percent. The Snapshot also found a 4.9 percent increase in postsecondary persistence.
“In Northeast Indiana, we are committed to the belief that every child has the right to success in school and life, and that every adult has the right to economic prosperity. To become a global competitor and transform our economy, Northeast Indiana must work together to reach 60 percent. While the 2016 Snapshot shows progress, we must continue to join our collective strengths to increase educational attainment in the region," said Domini Martin Urban, associate director of regional initiatives at the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership.
The third annual Snapshot of Education featured information from 31 school districts, five technical education centers, seven postsecondary institutions and other public sources. The report included baseline numbers for key indicators tracked by action teams working on kindergarten readiness, third-grade reading and others.
The Big Goal Collaborative has united more than 150 regional partners including businesses, educators, non-profits and more who have committed to working to increase educational attainment. Collectively, these hard-working leaders are making decisions based on data while working to identify local issues and best practices. From meetings and workshops to conferences and community programming, these volunteers are giving their time to create innovative, systemwide change in education in Northeast Indiana.
To learn more about the Big Goal or to read the 2016 Snapshot on Education, visit the website at www.neindiana.com/thebiggoal.
About the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership
The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership was formed in 2006 to build a globally competitive economy in Northeast Indiana. It is a public-private partnership with the mission to build, market and sell Northeast Indiana to increase business investment. The Big Goal is one of seven priorities identified by the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s Vision 2020 regional initiative. It aims to increase the percentage of Northeast Indiana residents with high-quality degrees or credentials to 60 percent by 2025. To become a global competitor and transform our economy, Northeast Indiana must work together to reach the Big Goal. The Partnership supports 11 member counties: Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells and Whitley counties. For more information, visit www.neindiana.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jaclyn Goldsborough
Communications Coordinator
Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership
Office: 260.469.3468
Cell: 574.596.0818
jaclyn@NEIndiana.com
