Page 44 - 2015 Compass Now

AN EDUCATION PROFILE OF THE GREAT RIVERS REGION

Introduction

Education is important not only for professional development and advancement in the workforce, but it is an
important indicator of the quality of life in a community. A community that provides access to a well-rounded
education encourages the growth and development of its residents, giving them the tools to improve
their prospects for a better life. Education is essential to economic growth and key to reducing poverty.
Workers and community members with critical thinking skills can learn more quickly and communicate
more effectively. Obtaining an education increases the opportunities for a longer, healthier life with
higher lifetime earnings, and decreases the likelihood of homelessness, substance misuse, and financial
instability.

This segment of the COMPASS NOW Report gives an overview of the education systems and their outcomes
in the Great Rivers Region. The purpose of this profile is to highlight educational assets, current trends,
and to present data and information regarding the numerous education-related challenges within our
community.

Educational Needs

In the COMPASS NOW 2015 Random Household Survey, respondents from each county were asked to rate
their community as a place that meets their family’s educational needs. Overall, 71% of survey respondents
gave an excellent or good rating to their community in this regard. This is down from the 2011 survey.
Figure 1 shows that a much larger percentage of La Crosse County residents rated their community as
excellent in terms of meeting their educational needs than surrounding counties. There may be numerous
reasons for this difference, including the wider variety of adult learning opportunities in La Crosse County.
Many factors can affect how residents rate whether or not their community meets their educational needs.
If we look at educational needs on a continuum of lifelong learning, the needs range from early pre-school
through elementary, secondary, post-secondary, job training and professional development, and life and
leisure enrichment.

EDUCATION Figure 1: A Place that Meets Your Family’s Educational Needs

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0% La Crosse Monroe Trempealeau Vernon Houston
19.7%
Poor/Fair 6.9% 21.9% 23.2% 17.1% 42.9%
Good 37.5%
Excellent 41.4% 56.3% 55.4% 55.7%

51.7% 21.9% 21.4% 27.1%

Source: COMPASS NOW 2015 Random Household Survey

36 COMPASS NOW 2015