The Promise and Failure of Community Colleges
SUMMARY: In the article “The Promises and Failure of Community Colleges”, published in The New York Times on February 17, 2015, explains the downfalls of community colleges and their lack of funding. Community college graduation rates have decreasing over the past ten years. The colleges are getting the students with the greatest problems but aren’t getting the resources to properly educate them. Community colleges have failed at providing higher level education of that of a bachelor’s degree. A large percentage of Americans are not prepared financially, cognitively, and socially for a bachelor degree. Most students end up dropping out of community college or stop at an associate degree level and don’t continue because higher education is too expensive. A few years ago, the city university in New York started an accelerated study in associate degrees, which pressed students to graduate with an associate’s degree within just 3 years. They provided the students with free textbooks, financial aid, any outstanding tuition, intense tutoring and transportation to the school. The White House plans to demand a similar commitment in states and community colleges to improve retention and graduation rates.
ANALYSIS: I strongly feel that community colleges are good for getting higher education for those who can’t afford a regular four year university, but it is also a disadvantage because a two year degree won’t get you far in life. Employers are going to take the person with more education as opposed to lesser education. Community colleges are struggling to get funding to provide student with the support they need. The communities colleges should have a collaborate bridge program that leads students from an associates degree from a community college to a bachelor’s degree at a reputable university. I think government should implement more attention to improving retention and graduation rates. They should also invest more money into the students because they are going to be the future America.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- Should the government make all community colleges switch to the Accelerated Study in Associate Programs like that of the city university in New York?
- Do you think money is the key to successful higher education?
Article Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/18/business/economy/the-promise-and-failure-of-community-colleges.html?ref=economy&_r=2
I agree with Kealan; community colleges are very beneficial to those that cannot afford to attend a regular, four-year university. However, it is also a disadvantage to only have a two-year degree. One option for students at community colleges is to transfer into a four-year school that allows them to obtain a higher degree. Many schools encourage this and will provide the financial aid that the students need. On the other hand, some students at community colleges have other responsibilities, such as caring for family members, that cannot be left behind.
ReplyDelete