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Our Role in Public Policy
Why You Should Care

 Why You Should Care About Ohio Policy Barriers to Higher Education for Low-wage Working Adults

Currently, Ohio is behind almost every other state in the level of financial assistance we provide to families who can't afford higher education, which may be why only a little more than 2 in 10 adults in our entire state are college educated. Here are just a few of the areas for policy improvement that could give our over one million low-wage working adults the education and training they need:

  • More funding for higher education
    Currently, Ohio's investment in the state's community and technical colleges ranks 29th among all states. Traditionally, state support to institutions of higher education helps keep a college's overhead lower, and, in turn, helps keep the cost of tuition in check.
  • More funding for student financial aid
    Among other states, ours ranks 40th in the number of citizens with associate's degrees, and 41st in the number with bachelor's degrees. One of the many reasons for this shortfall is that Ohio also ranks 40th in the amount of financial aid that is made available for low-income students to support their higher education. As a result, the cost of college to students and their families is well above the national average.
  • A system-wide approach to higher education for low-wage working adults
    The many options offered by community colleges, technical schools, and community-based organizations are separated, and students don't know where to go for the education and training need.
  • Funding for short-term training
    Unlike some other states, we do not provide funding for short-term, non-credit training programs. These programs can enable low-income adults to move out of the lowest paying jobs and prepare them for further education and training.
  • Financial aid for part-time enrollment
    Unlike Illinois and other states, Ohio provides little state financial aid for low-income, working adults who can only attend school part-time.
  • Greater cooperation among education providers
    Missions and boundaries of the various workforce and higher education institutions are not well defined, often creating duplication and unhealthy competition among them.
  • Greater cooperation among agencies
    We should do more to promote cooperation among agencies that serve low-income adults. As it stand now, many who want to purse education can't because they lack access to childcare, transportation, and other basic support.





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Initiative Highlights
Convergence as Strategy and as Model: Linking P-16 Education Reform and Economic Development
A new P-16 model is emerging in some Ohio communities, a move toward “convergence” that integrates education reform and economic development. Different from earlier “standalone” actions and small-scale joint efforts, this approach could serve as a national model of the transformations needed to respond to the new shape of our economy.
21st Century Skills Poll Released
A nationwide poll of registered voters reveals that Americans are deeply concerned that the United States is not preparing young people with the skills they need to compete in the global economy.
Ohio launches workforce development system built on Career Pathways
KnowledgeWorks plays a role as the state moves to address the needs of low-wage earners and regional employers.
Career Pathways Explored: Stories from Ohio
This video documents the importance of forming partnerships between education, economic, and workforce development organizations to address turning the regional economy around.