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Stop the Brain Drain
The report titled Betraying the College Dream also indicated that the vision of college access for all students is in a crisis. Over 80% of the middle school students in the United States are interested in some form of post secondary education. Unfortunately, many states have implemented policies that block student’s progress toward a college education. Counselors, students and parents cannot find adequate information about the education required to succeed in college. There is an ongoing lack of clarity about the essential high school level math, English and science skills that a student must obtain to meet the standards colleges are setting.
Most schools do not offer college preparation courses, nor do they have support from teachers who could play a significant role in helping students to understand college requirements. The inequalities manifest themselves throughout state school systems. Poor school districts suffer the most because they lack staff and resources.
There are some things that can be done to diffuse the uncertainty between high schools and colleges:
- There is a greater need for accurate information about college level academic requirements so that students and parents can make good decisions
- Colleges must work with local communities to exchange information and identify courses students must complete in high school
- Parents and students should be aware that there is a college for students from a variety of backgrounds. It is critical to identify resources that will help the each student while they attend high school
- Encourage each high school students to take a placement examination so that they prepare for college while they are in high school
These recommendations will require effort at all levels of the academic pipeline. Parents must persist at identifying the best high school training available to their son or daughter. Colleges and school districts must form lasting partnerships that concentrate on the academic skills that help students to become our future leaders.
