In a conversation I had this morning with an official of one our local colleges, she mentioned that, based on their assessment testing, 60% of their incoming students require remedial help in math, English, and/or reading to bring them up to college standards. This percentage seems really high to me...not that I doubt its veracity, but because I wonder why it is that so many beginning college students are obviously not academically prepared for challenge. Thirty years ago when I enrolled in college, it was just understood that students were generally prepared and able to do the coursework. Since that time, there has been a definite shift in attitude about college...that it should be more available for the masses. But, in pursuing that goal, should a college be shouldered with the responsibility of providing remedial education for over half its students? I think not, but I'm sure it's a matter of economics to do so.
In the last few years, I have received several high school student volunteer applications, listing the student as a member of the National Honor Society, with enough misspelled words and basic grammar infractions to make one raise an eyebrow or two. I can't help but wonder about the rude awakening awaiting them.
It's just my opinion, but the saddest thing about this post is that when these scholars get into the real world, there probably won't be a rude awakening.
ReplyDeletegrannyof9