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A College
Education - America’s Best Insurance Policy
by D. Holmes
We all know that
young people take different paths. What many young people do not realize
is that today’s choices make a big difference down the road.
Greg grew up in modest circumstances in Boise and became the first
person in his family to get a college education. Today, he is a school
principal in the Treasure Valley, dedicated to helping boys and girls do
well in school. Greg was lucky. Greg assumed that he was on a path to
work in a local factory, but his path was changed by an English teacher
at Boise High. His teacher urged him to take college-prep English and to
think about going to Boise State. Greg listened, and redirected his life
and future.
Larry, Juanita, and Gus, also residents of the Treasure Valley, have not
been so fortunate. During their school years, each had many friends,
worked part-time jobs, and did pretty well in school. Fifteen years
later, however, they are struggling to be happy. They have lost jobs,
worry about taking care of their children, and cannot envision how to
make things better. They wonder: is it too late to go to college? Will a
college accept me?
College Makes a Difference
Earning a living wage in the United States is linked directly to
educational attainment. The most recent U.S. Census provides this
picture:
Educational Level Average Annual Earnings
High school dropout $22,000
Bachelor’s degree $50,000
High school diploma $31,000
Master’s degree
$60,000
Associate’s degree $38,000
Each step of the educational ladder, especially the attainment of a
four-year college degree, raises the chances for economic success in a
significant way. Stopping at a high school diploma or earlier predicts a
marginal economic future.
Studies of the American economy, which is buffeted by global
competition, suggest that two-thirds of new jobs created between 2000
and 2010 will require education at the postsecondary level. The
projected share of new jobs for each educational level is as follows:
No high school diploma 10%
Some postsecondary 36%
High school diploma 22%
Bachelor’s degree or above 31%
The discouraging part of this projection is that so few Americans make
it all the way through the educational pipeline. Nationally, 68 percent
of ninth graders graduate from high school with their classes, 40
percent go on to college, 27 percent are enrolled in college in the
sophomore year, and 18 percent graduate from college with a bachelor’s
degree.
The Idaho picture has some unique aspects. Idaho has one of the nation’s
highest high school graduation rates—more than 80 percent.
Unfortunately, a very low proportion of Idaho high school graduates
enroll in college—about 34 percent. This situation does not bode well
for the future economy of our state.
We need a college-educated work force if Idaho is to thrive in the years
ahead. Our fellow citizens need the right kind of education, good jobs,
and a stable income. Without a doubt, college is the best insurance
policy for a hopeful future.
Getting on the College Path
The opening of the new Treasure Valley community college, the College of
Western Idaho, provides our citizens with far greater opportunities for
getting on the college track. First, although many high school students
do not think seriously about college, community college provides an
accessible and flexible way to start toward a college degree. Second,
thousands of adults realize the importance of a college degree but have
not had a practical way to start down that path. The new college will
provide “late arrivers” with a way to restart their educational careers.
We know, however, that the best path is to take education seriously from
the earliest age. At Lee Pesky Learning Center, we find that educational
success is linked to an upbringing where parents read to their children
and talk about the importance of school. Children lacking basic literacy
skills at entry to kindergarten are far less likely to reach grade level
or, ultimately, stay in school and graduate.
A problem in Idaho and in the nation is the strong connection between
family income and educational attainment. The connection is particularly
evident at the college level, where students from low income families
lag far behind in college matriculation and degree completion. A
national comparison of youth in the highest and lowest socioeconomic
quartiles reveals the following:
Share of Students Going to College Since 1988
Highest Income
Lowest Income
Four-Year College
64%
14%
No College
11%
64%
How do we make college a realistic option for all Idaho citizens,
regardless of family circumstances? The first priority, of course, is to
provide schools that are motivating and effective in fostering academic
achievement for all students. Although statewide test scores suggest
that there are basic problems in Idaho’s educational system, there
appears to be a growing commitment to improve the situation.
Second, parents are in a great position to support success in school and
high educational aspirations. Simple steps include reading to your child
from the earliest age; talking about school and how important it is;
doing everything possible to assure good attendance; paying attention to
homework; talking with teachers and advocating for your child; and
celebrating your child’s educational successes.
Third, we can utilize approaches that have been shown to be effective in
other parts of the nation. For example, Van Buren and Sacajawea
elementary schools in Caldwell, working in partnership with Albertson
College and Lee Pesky Learning Center, have begun the Caldwell
Aspirations Project. Funded in part by a local corporation, Woodgrain
Millworks, the project team will provide each participant with a mentor,
trips to local college campuses, and focused help in overcoming learning
gaps. The students come from a low income community where resources are
scarce, but hope is in the air.
College is the best guarantee of a hopeful, successful future. With the
help of parents, teachers, and the colleges, it is an achievable option.
Collectively, we must commit ourselves to make college a realizable
dream for all Idahoans.
David Holmes has extensive experience in both higher
and primary education. He has a special interest in student aspiration,
academic achievement, and educational reform.
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