eduwonk links to The College Puzzle, a blog on college preparation that I suspect will become a regular read for me:
My blog discusses the important and complex subjects of college completion, college success, student risk factors (for failing), college readiness, academic preparation. I will explore the pieces of the puzzle that heavily influence, if not determine, college outcomes and success rates of college students. Furthermore, I've spent a great deal of time analyzing the messages that students receive about college preparation. I'll explore those messages and their roles in college outcomes.
Here are two of the factoids I've been looking for:
Only 22 percent of entering community-college students who want a four-year degree actually get one, nationwide. At minimally selective four-year colleges, fewer than half finish their degree. Too many students are not staying in college.
Ed said the other day that what we need to know about Irvington kids isn't how many go to college (practically everyone), but how many graduate from college in 4 to 6 years. I keep hearing about Irvington High School graduates who've dropped out of college after a year. I now know of at least 5 kids myself.
The plan is for the kids to go back, and I'm sure they will go back.
But it worries me that any "unplanned leaves" are happening at all.
In any case, affluent suburban schools should certainly be keeping track of their college graduation rate.
Author bio:
Michael W. Kirst is Professor Emeritus of Education and Business Administration at Stanford University since 1969.
Dr. Kirst received his Ph.D. in political economy and government from Harvard. Before joining the Stanford University faculty, Dr. Kirst held several positions with the federal government, including Staff Director of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Manpower, Employment and Poverty. He was a former president of the California State Board of Education.. His book From High School to College with Andrea Venezia was published by Jossey Bass in 2004.
Answers in the Toolbox
Answers in the Toolbox Revisited:
The report does show that of all eighth graders in 1988:
- 78% graduated on time in 1992 with a standard diploma;
- 53% entered postsecondary education directly from high school;
- 48% persisted from their first to their second year of postsecondary study;
- 35% earned a bachelor’s or associate degree by December 2000.
Do you think they're leaving college because they're unprepared or is it because they're burned out?
ReplyDeleteThey're unprepared.
ReplyDeleteI believe I mentioned elsewhere that I know a student - this is one of the students who has dropped out - who graduated from IHS not knowing the meanings of the words "academic," "defective," and "hijack" among others.
A dad we know, whose child is in college, told me that his child is unprepared because "he doesn't have enough knowledge."
Yes, but ... There are lots of kids who have no idea what they want to do and drop out. Most get jobs, and eventually, come back and finish their degrees. It was like this in the 70s, and it's the same now.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure it's the same....must check the stats!
ReplyDeleteI do know that my chums didn't drop out in any great numbers. Nobody knew what he or she wanted to do, but nobody dropped out, either.