I dont work at an elite college, but these kinds of stories tell only half the story. It is not enough to provide access to any institution -- elite or not -- without paying attention to how low-income students navigate the environment once there. What I encountered this week with just one student is all too typical: First-generation, low-income student (whose family could not be more proud) completes his first week of classes without books. Why? Because he cant figure out how the whole book-buying thing works and, when he does, he cant afford them. His intro economics book, that was really a cardboard book jacket with an access code to online reading and quizzes, $275.50; his intro business statistics book with access code to online labs, $296; his sociology book (thankfully) $58.50 new with a rental option of $29.25. One class didnt require a book. Thats more than $600 for books, for one semester. The student did have a $380 balance from financial aid to apply to books, something he didnt know or understand without guidance. But what about the $220 financial aid didnt cover? He doesnt have a credit card, nor do his parents have the extra money. So he made choices; he prioritized. He will attempt to be a successful student without his books or course materials. Access to college is only one side of the coin. It is the tools to succeed once there that will ultimately make the difference and truly impact inequality.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 12:41:08 +0000
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