College Readiness

2483 Words5 Pages

Determining college readiness is an essential part in determining who will qualify as a good candidate for admission into a college or a university. The last thing that colleges want is for students to qualify for admission and drop out, this affects drop out rate and graduation rate. According Robin Chait and Andrea Venezia (2009),

to about 83 percent of high school graduates enroll in some form of postsecondary education, but only about 52 percent of students complete their degrees. Further, a very small proportion of students complete a degree in four years—“among students starting at ‘four-year’ institutions, only 34 percent finish a B.A. in four years, 64 percent within six years, and 69 percent within eight and a half years.” Colleges always want students to graduate and support their alma mater. However this begins with deciding what student are mentally readiness and determination for the task that lies ahead, college. In today’s society we struggle trying to find a proper definition for college readiness. This is the main reason statistics and graduation rates suffer in the way that they do. Just because a high school student reaches the age of 18, obtains a high school diploma, and has functional literacy, does that really make students college ready?

Many of us struggle with properly defining college readiness. Some may say that college readiness is the ability to be able to read and write. Some high schools may even feel they are ready simply because they have gotten their high school diploma; however, according to the ACT activity publication college readiness can be defined by the ability to benchmark on the ACT readiness system. In addition students must also have academic behavior which includes studen...

... middle of paper ...

...etrieved from:

http://www.momsmiami.com/?a=profile&u=2&t=blog&blog_id=976

Kelly Roell. ( 2009). SAT Test 101. Retrieved from: http://testprep.about.com/od/sat/a/Basic_SAT_Info.htm

Andrew Ujifusa. (Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010). The Gazette.Net. SAT participation among Montgomery County schools' 2010 minority graduates drops. Retrieved from:

http://www.gazette.net/stories/09222010/montsch231827_32535.php

The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. (2006).Black Student College Graduation Rates Remain Low, But Modest Progress Begins to Show. Retrieved from: http://www.jbhe.com/features/50_blackstudent_gradrates.html

David T. Conley. (2008). Education Leadership. Vol. 66 No.2. What makes a student College Ready. Retrieved from: http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/oct08/vol66/num02/What-Makes-a-Student-College-Ready%C2%A2.aspx

Show More
Related

  • An Analysis Of Tough's 'College Conundrum'

    1317 Words  | 3 Pages

    Tough explains their analysis and conclusions, by which he reiterates, “… high school grades reveal much more than mastery of content. They reveal qualities of motivation and perseverance - as well as the presence of good study habits and time management skills - that tell us a great deal about the chances that a student with complete a college program” (Tough 153). As apparent in the above text, non-cognitive abilities such as motivation and perseverance are key predictors to the completion of a college degree. In essence, the researchers suggest that the increase in college dropouts is associated with an absence of these character

    Read More

  • Black Male Success in Higher Education

    2278 Words  | 5 Pages

    African- American males have been underrepresented among college students and degree earners for years, however the reason for this is often misconstrued. The percentages of white high school graduates “In 1998-2000 had jumped to 46. However, only 40 percent of African-Americans and 34 percent of Hispanics in the same age group were attending college” (McGlynn, Angela Proviteira). The question then to pose, is why minority students are not succeeding in college compared to Caucasian students, “Only 47% of Black male students graduated on time

    Read More

  • The Impact Of Race On Retention (Pat)

    1319 Words  | 3 Pages

    In 2001 statistics reported by the United States Department of Education indicated that during 1997-1998 African American students received 8.3% of bachelor’s degrees awarded. Concurrently, Hispanic students as well as Asian or Pacific Islander students received 6.0%, while American Indian/Alaskan Native students only accounted for .7%. Although statistics from agencies who report differ, clearly on a national level, minority students

    Read More

  • College as the Pathway to the American Dream

    2356 Words  | 5 Pages

    Over the past few years, people have begun to see going to college as a way to achieve the American Dream through career-readiness. People used to go to college, hoping to get a better well-rounded education. For most the well-rounded education, it usually came with the courses required for a liberal arts education. The courses would provide a level of analytical and in-depth understanding that would prepare the students for both life and whichever career path chosen. No matter the amount of money paid, parents would be willing to gi...

    Read More

  • African American Students and Equal Education

    779 Words  | 2 Pages

    As cliché as it sounds, it is true that many African American students come from very harsh and poverty stricken environments. They tend to go to under resourced schools as well that do not provide the proper knowledge for them to further their education. And even worse, these schools tend to be segregated since they are usually in the harsher parts of a neighborhood. Sadly, it’s the segregated schools are one of the main reasons why black students decide not to go on to pursue a higher education. According to "The Way Out of the Black Poverty Cycle", a black student that attends an integrated suburban school is six times more likely to graduate compared to a segregated under resourced school. An African Americans family structure and the opinions of family members affects if their decision to further their education as well. Many African American children grow up un...

    Read More

  • Essay On HBCU

    2238 Words  | 5 Pages

    Clearly, HBCUs provide several benefits to African-American students. Not only have they helped to combat the cycle of discrimination that minority students experienced before the civil rights initiatives of the 1960s, but they strive to provide a warm, supportive and inclusive academic environment that addresses African-American college students as a whole person. Additionally, HBCUs are increasing their efforts to ensure that higher education is accessible, affordable and achievable for individuals with unique socioeconomic challenges. Despite obstacles, historically Black institutions will continue to play a vital and significant role in the fabric of higher education.

    Read More

  • Student Choice: Strength And Three Phase Concepts Of College Choice

    1097 Words  | 3 Pages

    Attending to the limitations of both sociological and economic theoretical approaches, researchers suggest college choice decisions are not explained by one theoretical approach alone, but are best understood by integrated approaches which incorporate aspects of human capital models with sociological constructs (Freeman, 1997; Paulsen, 2001; Paulsen and St. John, 2002; Perna, 2000, 2006; St. John and Asker, 2001). In this section, I describe dominant conceptualizations of college choice focusing on limitations for students of color at the point in which students make key decisions.

    Read More

  • Identifying Strategies to Improve African American College Student Retention and Graduation Rates

    1677 Words  | 4 Pages

    As previously stated, it appears there are persistant barriers present that hinder enrollment, retention, and rate of graduation for African Americans in higher education. It is imperative that educational concerns for African Americans are addressed at all levels, but it is particularly important at the post secondary stage. Higher levels of education are associated with both lower unemployment rates and a higher income. If...

    Read More

  • Galton And Eugenics

    853 Words  | 2 Pages

    Many of the unresolved issues of substandard education, segregated neighborhoods, broken families, economic disadvantages and social inequalities continue to contribute to the poor performance rate of young African-Americans on the SAT’s and other required college entry exams. Regrettable, SAT’s and other standardize test have become ritualistic and institutionalize; cemented in the impenetrable walls of higher education. Universities and colleges depend on these “gatekeepers” to maintain the privileged class and to cherry pick the “crème of the crop”. This covert system of selection was never intended for all, but designed to maintain social stratification, create caste systems and marginalize certain groups of people from fair competition.

    Read More

  • The Elements of Learning by B. Banner, Jr., and C. Cannon

    2064 Words  | 5 Pages

    When entering college freshman students face difficulties by not knowing how to adjust to the new expectations college brings. A freshman student tends to approach college with the same mentality used throughout their high school years. But as the first semester start, they encounter a variety of challenges, including having to change their study habits and knowing how to wisely manage their time. The book “The Elements of Learning” by B. Banner, Jr., and C. Cannon, introduces the elements a student must possess in order be successful in college. The research made by my team, “Collin’s Angels”, will determine important factors for freshman success, and the changes that a student makes in order to succeed through the first year of college.

    Read More

  • College Benefits and Obstacles

    780 Words  | 2 Pages

    College success has become a most desirable goal. However, many students struggle through college. In fact, according to the Website Ask.com, approximately 15 percent of college students receive a degree. Because I’m willing to earn a degree like many other successful students, I find that college is the stepping stone to my dream goals. I know that college is difficult, but I realize that attaining my dream of a college education will require me to understand the benefits of what I’m learning, to prepare for obstacles, to seek advice, and to create effective and reasonable strategies will help me achieve my goals.

    Read More

  • Why Kids Should Go To High School

    854 Words  | 2 Pages

    Therefore, if kids try hard in high school, college will be much easier and the transition from high school to college will be a breeze. Some will argue that preparing too early will give students "college admissions frenzy." It is said to dull pupils of determination and they begin to overlook certain aspects of college. To oppose, when was the last time you were over prepared for something? For most, the answer to this is probably rarely or perhaps never. Choosing a college is a decision that will change your life for four years, so it's hypercritical that pupils are qualified to make this determination. Students who are focused on getting to college are only bettering themselves so that they will have an edge at the collegian level. Being prepared will help them understand what they are getting themselves into and if college is really the best option for them. If college seems like the route the student would like to take, then prepare away. With experience and ambition, students will be ready to take on college after high school

    Read More

  • The Path To Success

    538 Words  | 2 Pages

    There are several qualities to have to be successful in college. These qualities can range from attending class to going above and beyond what’s expected. Success comes from the journey taken or the path chosen. Success also comes from being prepared. As a student, I must step up to the challenge and find the path to success along the way. Several ways I define success is to uphold academic integrity, have the ability to prioritize, and to motivate myself to stay on top of what needs to be accomplished.

    Read More

  • Four Key Dimensions Of College Readiness

    991 Words  | 2 Pages

    Some view being ready for college as the curriculum a student takes on in secondary schools. Achieve (2004) views college and workplace readiness as taking rigorous course to prepare for college and passing English and Mathematics benchmarks. This definition is closely related to the one provide by the NAGB. The students’ readiness is based on assessments and grade point averages. The whole

    Read More

  • Causes Of College Readiness

    1118 Words  | 3 Pages

    College Readiness is a problem when students finish high school. This has been a problem for many years and there are many solutions to be tried to fix it. My group discussed the causes, problems, and what solutions can be used to solve the problem over several days in class as well as done our own research to broaden our view of the topic and find a better solution.

    Read More

More about College Readiness

Open Document