How is college changing?

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I was blessed with a visit from my eldest (daughter), her husband, and my grandson.  It’s amazing to see the innocence, the insouciance, the love, and energy that this almost 4 year old has- and how he infects his parents with his essence.   It made my home resonate.

And, true to form, we entertained a discussion.  (If you’ve never been to our house, then you’ve missed any number of wonderful discussions about life, living, and making this world a better place.   And, we spent a fair amount of time discussing the situation in higher education.  Come on, you’ve got an ex-academic [and professional student], a university executive, and a post-post-doc sitting at one table- what do you expect?)   And, the conflict between needs-based and merit-based education.

Which was answered in turn by an article in Sunday’s New York Times by Jason DeParle.  One that left I found fairly depressing and, to be honest, in a somewhat perplexed state.   The premise is that those students who matriculate from the lower middle class and lower are unable to finish their studies.  That they incur large debt and little else.  Despite their above- average performance in high school.  One academic stated that while we expect higher education to be the great equalizer, it turns out that is demonstrates the chasm between high and low income students.

Dr. Sean Reardon (Stanford) examined data over the past 25 years and found that reading and math tests (he examined 12 or so) demonstrated that the gap between high and low-income students had grown by 40%, while there was more confluence between the performance of  blacks and whites.  25 years ago- race predicted the scores; now, it’s income class.

Graduation Success Rates

I admit to starting my university experiences at a small school.  One where the tuition matched the family income.  And, for some 150 years, it prided itself on graduating skilled scientists and engineers despite that situation.  Yes, Brooklyn Poly gave me a fantastic start to life.  (This institution became the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn and has just been swallowed up by NYU- which had been heretofore barred from offering engineering degrees, due to its rescue from bankruptcy in the 1970’s.  [It’s programs were relegated to Poly, as part of the deal.]) One I appreciated and, therefore, spent time and money helping reach the next generations of students.

Drs. Bowen, Chingos, and McPherson published a study that found only 60% of those entering public universities complete the program; 26% of above-average 8th graders (but low-income) earn bachelor’s degrees, while those with sub-par credentials finish at a higher rate (30%).  Moreover, only 60% of all matriculants graduate.

So, after reading this article, I am less perplexed by this union between NYU and Poly.  Because if the mission of Poly is doomed from the start, then offering outstanding education to those that can afford- and finish- the curriculum is a valid exercise.  Unless, of course, we truly want to have our STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) professionals to come from all walks of life.

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15 thoughts on “How is college changing?”

  1. We have similar problems here Roy. The expectation and view of the value of university is much lower, the lower the family income.
    Even those that do get to uni find they have the problems with financing themselves.
    Not for the tuition, there is a loan available for that, but for living expenses.
    The higher the family income, the more of that burden is borne by family, making it easier for that student.
    Difficult problem to get around, that’s for sure.
    Cheers,
    Gordon
    The Great Gordino recently posted..Are You Allowing Your Dreams To Soar This Year?

    1. Gordon…
      This is a universal problem. We want our children to get the best education possible. The country needs those assess trained and primed- to help grow and develop new strengths for the country.
      But, we don’t provide free education. (By the way, I doubt free higher education would be valued by each recipient.) But, we also don’t want only our richest to get an education, with a smattering of those whom we can afford to fund.
      I consider this part of our infrastructure that our government has been failing to maintain.

      1. I quite like the loan system that was introduced here. It can help with the living expense problem as it frees up the money that might have been spent on college fees.
        After graduating, students only pay back a certain percentage of their wage, but only if they earn over a certain amount.
        That seems fair, because if they are earning over tha amount it’s right they should contribute to the education that got them there.
        If they don’t earn over that amount, they pay nothing, and after a set amount of years the loan is written off.
        That system has had lots of criticism, but I find that most people criticising it do not understand the possibility of never having to pay back a penny!
        Cheers, Gordon
        The Great Gordino recently posted..You’re Not Just Using Your Content Once, Are You?

        1. I love this program. There are two schools in America dying to try something similar- free tuition, in return for providing 10% of one’s salary over the ten years post graduation (or graduate school). Of course, they need legislation from the government (both to allow it- and to preclude one from filing bankruptcy and being absolved of the obligation, similar to the student loan system that obtains now). Now, only those schools with large endowments could so provide- since they are banking on the future- probably the last 5 years or so to actually afford the funds that would match the tuition and board ( $ 200K or so) that was provided…
          (No, they will not absolve those who don’t make “sufficient” funds. I can see your point- but also recognize that the obligation is due and, sometimes, one has to work at a job that pays even if it is not liked to cover those obligations.)

  2. My very cynical uncle used to say there were two things you could have only if you could afford them…justice and education. He also added that would only get worse with time, that the gap between “classes” would widen because of that kind of greed and thinking. I don’t like to admit when he was right, but from what you wrote here, it seems true. At least from the education stand point. Shared far and wide, Roy.
    Lisa Brandel recently posted..The Hummingbird by Lisa Brandel

    1. Lisa…
      It is absolutely amazing how you came up with this- because that was part of the blog that I did not include here. Because it would be too long. Thanks for providing coming attractions for a blog that should appear within the fortnight.
      (Stop reading my mind????)

  3. This is very disappointing news, but not wholly unexpected. Upper middle and upper class children are getting better education. What looks like a good grade for an 8th grader in a Kingsville, TX, public school is not comparable to what looks like a good grade for an 8th grader in a New York private school. Apples and oranges.

    1. There have always been differences among schools, Ann. But, the grade inflation that is rampant lets these folks feel more confidence than they deserve- and, more importantly, lets them skate by in their high school years (since one gets a B for showing up), thinking that will obtain in College. Rude awakenings- and the loss of valuable potential to help make this country strong and great.

      1. I agree. I used to work harder and get lower grades than the kids I substitute taught. When I saw what they were getting for such, for the lack of a better word, horrible work, I was dismayed.

      1. Roy, you are on the right track about providing more assistance to students who lack certain fundamentals. When I was with the Texas A&M University-Kingsville, we offered students pre-college classes as remediation. So many needed it. Help with finances is great, but we have to get everyone up to par so that they finish.
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        1. I think that is an interesting concept. But, one that belongs in HIGH SCHOOL-before they leave. It is both expensive for the student (since now tuition must be paid) and for the college (since tuition does not cover the full costs of education) to bring a child up to the speed that should have obtained when the received their high school diploma, Ann.

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