We've all seen the grim statistics. The majority of community college students need developmental education. Most don't finish the core curriculum or receive any credential in six years. It's a national phenomenon, but Texas lags behind most other states in virtually every indicator of student success. The Closing the Gaps initiative has been notably effective in beefing up enrollments, but students, all too often, don't finish what they start. The reasons are complicated, of course.
Various official reports, hearings, and studies have been passed along here, but it's rare for media outlets to cover the issue of college readiness extensively. A recent exception can be found in a fine article by Holly Hacker in the Dallas Morning News (Sunday, March 21). The piece looks at real students and faculty in the Dallas Community College District, with plenty of statistical as well as anecdotal observations. The basic problem, according to the article, is that young people are graduating from high school with minimal mathematical, reading, and writing skills. Many have passed the TEKS examinations and have taken the college-preparatory courses that are now required by default. Significantly, the piece also points out that many students don't take their classes seriously at first and are shocked to discover their academic deficiencies.
This information will not come as any surprise to experienced community and technical college faculty members, but it's gratifying to note that the general public is becoming informed as well.
Ms. Hacker reports that the situation may be improving. For one thing, the recession may have brought students to community colleges who are better prepared.
Brief excerpts would be posted here normally, but the entire article is worth a careful examination.
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