BENCHMARK
Narrow the gap between Polk County
and the State of Florida on an annual
basis in order to meet or exceed the
State average by the year 2020.
Polk County’s high school graduation rate is currently measured at 69%. This
currently lags the statewide average by eight percentage points.
High School Graduation Rates
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
02/03
04/05
05/06
POLK COUNTY
06/07
07/08
08/09
09/10
10/11
11/12
12/13
13/14
14/15
Source: Florida Department of Education
FLORIDA
BENCHMARK
Increase the percentage of Polk County
adults, 25 and over, with a bachelor’s
degree to meet or exceed the State
average by 2025.
4%
The percentage
of adults with a
bachelor’s degree or
higher has increased
to 19% - up 4% from
the year 2000.
BA or Higher
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
2000
2006
POLK COUNTY
2007
2008
FLORIDA
2009
2010
USA
2011
2012
2013
2014
Source: US Census Bureau
The State average
for adults with a
bachelor’s degree or
higher is 27%. Both
Florida and Polk are
below the national
average of 29%.
The work of Polk Vision, to align resources and develop solutions to community-wide
challenges, is critical to the success of our community, and by extension, Polk State College.
Our mission, to transform lives through the power of affordable, accessible education, is only
fulfilled when community, industry, and institutions come together.
– Eileen Holden, Ph.D., President, Polk State College
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