"With Their Whole Lives Ahead of Them"
December 2009
Author: Public Agenda, a non-partisan, nonprofit public policy research firm, was commissioned by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to explore why more young Americans are not completing college. Data is based on a national survey of more than 600 young adults ages 22 to 30 and focus groups in five cities, including New York.
Key findings: The national survey found that work and family obligations prompt many students to drop out of college and keep them from re-enrolling.
The findings dispel the myths that most college students are supported by their parents and take advantage of a multitude of loans, scholarships and savings plans.
Instead, researchers found that young people who fail to finish college most often attribute the decision to being forced to choose between a degree and going to work, paying rent, buying groceries or supporting family members.
Of students who did not finish college, 58 percent said they did not receive any financial help from their parents or relatives to pay tuition or fees, and 69 percent did not receive support from a scholarship or financial aid.
Nationwide, about 40 percent of students enrolled at four-year colleges graduate within six years, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
At public community colleges, the numbers are even grimmer: only 20 percent graduate within three years.
The study asked the young people what changes would be most useful in helping students to complete a college degree, offering 12 choices.
Most popular were allowing part-time students to qualify for financial aid, offering more courses on weekends and evenings, and providing child care.
Least popular were putting more classes online and making the college application process easier.
Balancing work and school was a bigger barrier than finding money for tuition, the report noted. In fact, more than one-third of the dropouts said that even if they got a grant that covered their books and tuition, it would be hard to go back to school, given their work and family commitments.
Unions' perspective: NYSUT and its national affiliates, the American Federation of Teachers and National Education Association, have long made the case that the current higher education system was not built to serve the evolving student population.
The reality is that nearly half of the students in four-year school work more than 20 hours a week. About 60 percent of community college students work more than 20 hours a week, and more than a quarter work more than 35 hours a week.
Working students need increased support services, more flexible scheduling and adequate college staffing, including more full-time faculty.
In the long-run, the investment will pay off, with more students completing their college degree.
The report is at: www.publicagenda.org/theirwholelivesaheadofthem.
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