Every Year Of His Presidency, Obama Has Reiterated His Promise That America Would Have The Highest Proportion Of College Graduates By 2020

Obama, In 2009: “By 2020, America Will Once Again Have The Highest Proportion Of College Graduates In The World.” “And so tonight, I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training. This can be community college or a four-year school; vocational training or an apprenticeship. But whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a high school diploma. And dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It’s not just quitting on yourself, it’s quitting on your country - and this country needs and values the talents of every American. That is why we will provide the support necessary for you to complete college and meet a new goal: by 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.” (President Barack Obama, Address Before A Joint Session Of Congress , Washington, DC, 2/24/09)

Obama, In 2010: “By 2020 We Will Once Again Have The Highest Proportion Of College Graduates In The World.” “And that’s why we eliminate a wasteful subsidy to banks that lend to college students, and use that money to revitalize community colleges and make college more affordable. This will help us reach the goal I’ve set for America: By 2020 we will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world. (President Barack Obama, Remarks On The Federal Budget, Washington, DC, 2/1/10)

Obama, In 2011: “I Am Confident That By 2020, America Will Once Again Have The Highest Proportion Of College Graduates In The World. That’s Our Goal.” “With all of these steps, I am confident that by 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world. That’s our goal. That’s our goal. That’s how we’ll out-educate other countries. That’s how we’ll out-compete with other countries tomorrow. That’s how we’ll win the future for the United States of America.” (President Barack Obama, Remarks At Miami Central High School , Miami, FL, 3/4/11)

Obama, In 2012: “When I Took Office, I Set The Goal For America To Have The Highest Proportion Of College Graduates In The World By 2020.” (President Barack Obama, Message On The Budget For Fiscal Year 2013, C-Span, 2/13/12)

But According To The Department Of Education, Obama Will Fall Short

“His Own Administration’s Numbers Show He Won’t Come Close.” “Early in his presidency, Barack Obama promised the United States would lead the world in college graduates by 2020 - a signature promise he’s reminded people of many times since. But his own administration’s numbers show he won’t come close.” (Jennifer Epstein, “President Obama’s College Math Doesn’t Add Up,” Politico, 7/27/12)

“If Gains Were To Continue At The Same Rate They Have On Average For The Past Five Years, It Would Take Until 2036 For The Country To Reach Obama’s Goal.” “But the realities of ballooning costs, budget cuts and underprepared students are in his way. If gains were to continue at the same rate they have on average for the past five years, it would take until 2036 for the country to reach Obama’s goal for 60 percent of Americans ages 25-34 to have college degrees, based on a POLITICO analysis using methodology suggested by the Education Department. In 2011, only 43.1 percent of this group had college degrees.” (Jennifer Epstein, “President Obama’s College Math Doesn’t Add Up,” Politico, 7/27/12)

“The Obama Administration Doesn’t Have A Clear Plan To Reach Its Goal - Let Alone A Wide-Reaching Initiative That’s Being Implemented - And The Clock Is Quickly Ticking Toward 2020.” (Jennifer Epstein, “President Obama’s College Math Doesn’t Add Up,” Politico, 7/27/12)

Terry Hartle, American Council On Education: “It’s A Moon Shot.” “‘It’s a moon shot,’ said Terry Hartle, senior vice president of government and public affairs at the American Council on Education who worked as an education adviser to the late Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.). But there’s no comparable infrastructure in American higher education to the work NASA did to put man on the moon by the end of the 1960s.” (Jennifer Epstein, “President Obama’s College Math Doesn’t Add Up,” Politico, 7/27/12)

Every State Is “Well Below” Its 2020 Goal. “Still, data released by the Education Department earlier this month showed declines between 2009 and 2010 of about 1 percent in several states, with all states well below their 2020 goals, and only Washington, D.C., above the 60 percent threshold.” (Jennifer Epstein, “President Obama’s College Math Doesn’t Add Up,” Politico, 7/27/12)