Statistics were showing that more and more underprivileged students having been falling through the cracks of the educational system, and now some states have decided to take action. Some states are making programs for kids in high school during their junior year to get help for taking the SAT. This new effort is being led by Bloomberg Philanthropies who want to change the statistic that 1 in 3 top performing kids from underprivileged backgrounds attends college to 1 in 2 top- performing kids from underprivileged attend college within 5 years. To do this they are going to employ more college counselors and part time employ college students from similar backgrounds to help with application and to serve as an example. In addition they are also going to receive 4 application waivers for college. They are going to try and help them receive as much financial aid and guide them in a direction in where they will not be drowned in debt for college. Yet the efforts they are making right now will only reach about 5% of all students from the bottom half.
Do you think this is the correct approach to assist kids?
Will there be more competition between students?
Would bringing affirmative action be a better choice?
Should they start at a younger age and grade?
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4 comments:
While this is no model for all schools to attempt to follow, every reform movement has to start somewhere and I believe the key ideas are present here and with some help may develop into a key part of helping level the gap between SAT test scores. I think incorporating this into the school itself is a good idea because the high school itself is an integral part of the college application experience, and I think it's important to remember that not all high schools have guidance counselors as active as ours in their attempts to help us through the application process.
I have also heard of a similar attempt to level the playing field by Khan Academy, who in partnership with the new SAT format, states that they will provide free test prep in order to lessen the effect of expensive prep courses that only higher income students would be able to afford. While both of these sound like good ideas, only time will tell if they do manage to truly make a difference in the lives of children that come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
I agree with Miranda. And adding on to what she said, this program is not perfect in that it doesn't help all of the underprivileged; however, it's better than nothing. Since this program is just getting started, it may improve over time and hopefully benefit more than just "5% of all students from the bottom half."
There definitely will be more competition, due to the thousands of underprivileged yet high-achieving students joining in with the rest of the eligible students. But for now, I think this is a great new opportunity to reach out to those who deserve higher education but had been unable to attain it.
I think that giving underprivileged kids information about what top colleges offer is really important. There is a belief that a top tier school has a top tier price tag, but most schools with large endowments will meet all demonstrated financial need, sometimes with no loans.
The tricky thing is, if your parents haven't gone to college or if your school doesn't get that many visits from top tier schools, you may not know this.
I think that states should work with schools that are trying to increase their socioeconomic diversity, connecting them with underprivileged schools. I know that Harvard has a big commitment to making the application process accessible to underprivileged kids. Their supplement is only 150 words so kids without an expensive college application adviser can still easily complete the application. Also, they have been moving a lot of the interviews from private schools to public schools or libraries/other public spaces, so kids aren't intimidated.
I would agree with Victoria that any improvement is better than no improvement, assuming that there is not an alternative plan which would do more with the same amount of money.
I don't think that informing low-income kids as to the benefits of high grade schools is the most effective method. Those qualified for high-tier schools, regardless of income, can figure such things out for themselves. The money should instead be used to level the educational disparity that keeps many low-income students from even reaching such a level.
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