State lawmaker wants to improve higher ed graduation rates

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A state lawmaker says Oklahoma colleges and universities need to look for new ways to increase student retention and graduation rates.<br/><br/>The Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education

Friday, November 4th 2005, 6:46 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A state lawmaker says Oklahoma colleges and universities need to look for new ways to increase student retention and graduation rates.

The Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education has told an interim legislative study group that less than 30 percent of incoming freshman at Oklahoma universities earn bachelor's degrees.

State Representative Jerry McPeak of Warner -- who requested the study -- says the state has a real problem getting students to stay in school once they're there.

McPeak says schools need to increase hands-on educational efforts and decrease the amount of math required for some nonbusiness and science majors.

He says most schools feel that student services like free tutoring are important to increasing student retention.