High schools in central Texas are requiring students to apply to college in order to receive their diplomas - whether the student plans to attend college or not:
The San Marcos High approach reflects a particularly aggressive attitude in central Texas toward pushing more students into higher education and is part of a national effort to encourage more college participation. Educators in central Texas are not only requiring students to apply to college but also opening up facilities shared by two-year and four-year schools. That way, when students such as Tenorio finish community college, they find a path to a bachelor's degree...
The Austin Area Research Organization produced a study last year that local educators have been using to win political support for their plans. Officials in the Texas capital -- one of the nation's hubs for high-tech companies -- boast about their well-educated workers, 65 percent of whom have taken some college courses, compared with 51 percent statewide.
But the research study said a heavy influx of low-income Hispanic families with few members going to college would cut that figure to 55 percent by 2040...
So a group of educators, including Texas State President Denise M. Trauth and Austin Community College's interim president, Stephen B. Kinslow, began to look for solutions...Sylvester Perez, superintendent of the San Marcos school district, said that when program officials suggested requiring all of his seniors to apply to a college, "we thought it was great. It would be helping the kids through the process."
One principal, whose school is 63% Hispanic, says the program, which involves a lot of outside help from community colleges, is succeeding. One student says it's great that schools are leading them to water and helping them learn to swim, rather than just leaving them to their own devices. Students whose parents ultimately refuse the free financial aid seminars and campus tours are ultimately exempted from the requirement.
Posted by kswygert at May 25, 2004 10:37 AM