07 Jul 09
1 edit
In this month's issue of Money Magazine, there is disturbing set of statistics dealing with college graduation rates. You have the Well-Off (those whose parents' income was in the top 25% ), the Poor (those whose parents' income was in the bottom 25% ), those who had high SATs (from 1200 to 1600), and those who had low SATs (800 to 999). It breaks down as follows:
Well-Off with high SATs graduated at 82%
Well-Off with low SATs graduated at 52%
Poor with high SATs graduated at 44%
Of course the rich, smart people do well. There's no surprise there. But the rich idiots graduate at a HIGHER rate than the poor, smart people. Being wealthy is a greater guarantee that you'll graduate from college than being smart. For a nation that prides itself on "equal opportunity", this should be a mark of shame.
07 Jul 09
Originally posted by rwingettExactly.
In this month's issue of Money Magazine, there is disturbing set of statistics dealing with college graduation rates. You have the [b]Well-Off (those whose parents' income was in the top 25% ), the Poor (those whose parents' income was in the bottom 25% ), those who had high SATs (from 1200 to 1600), and those who had low SATs (800 to 999). It br ...[text shortened]... . For a nation that prides itself on "equal opportunity", this should be a mark of shame.[/b]
Dump the lousy public school system that's failed the poor and replace it with a voucher system that requires results of the schools if they want your voucher dollars. The schools will need to get results or perish, unlike the public schools which flounder along in perpetuity.
07 Jul 09
Originally posted by sh76It's amazing the conclusions you can draw from the data if you're creative enough.
Exactly.
Dump the lousy public school system that's failed the poor and replace it with a voucher system that requires results of the schools if they want your voucher dollars. The schools will need to get results or perish, unlike the public schools which flounder along in perpetuity.
There's no way you can fault the public school system based on the data I've presented here. Both poor and rich kids are getting good SAT scores. The free public schools DO provide equal opportunity.
Back to the blackboard for you.
07 Jul 09
2 edits
Originally posted by rwingettNo, not on the data you've presented alone.
There's no way you can fault the public school system based on the data I've presented here.
I'm a proponent of vouchers for many other reasons apart from this data.
I'd be interested to hear how you would fix the public school system, though.
Or, are you saying that the public schools are fine? KN was saying the other day that the public schools in poor neighborhoods were so bad that the poor are effectively not given an education? Is he right?
07 Jul 09
Originally posted by rwingettLink?
In this month's issue of Money Magazine, there is disturbing set of statistics dealing with college graduation rates. You have the [b]Well-Off (those whose parents' income was in the top 25% ), the Poor (those whose parents' income was in the bottom 25% ), those who had high SATs (from 1200 to 1600), and those who had low SATs (800 to 999). It br ...[text shortened]... . For a nation that prides itself on "equal opportunity", this should be a mark of shame.[/b]
07 Jul 09
Originally posted by rwingettPerhaps college is just overrated considered how expensive it is today. Maybe someone of average intellegence and average income in America would be better off getting a lower paying job right out of high school, saving there money, and starting a small business. Training for such a path can be found in any public library. I don't know if this is a great answer, but it's an alternative that should be looked at. 😏
In this month's issue of Money Magazine, there is disturbing set of statistics dealing with college graduation rates. You have the [b]Well-Off (those whose parents' income was in the top 25% ), the Poor (those whose parents' income was in the bottom 25% ), those who had high SATs (from 1200 to 1600), and those who had low SATs (800 to 999). It br ...[text shortened]... . For a nation that prides itself on "equal opportunity", this should be a mark of shame.[/b]
07 Jul 09
Originally posted by bill718Why don't you try that with your kids. Let us know how it works.
Perhaps college is just overrated considered how expensive it is today. Maybe someone of average intellegence and average income in America would be better off getting a lower paying job right out of high school, saving there money, and starting a small business. Training for such a path can be found in any public library. I don't know if this is a great answer, but it's an alternative that should be looked at. 😏
07 Jul 09
Originally posted by KazetNagorraThat was a joke.
I don't see many Americans on these forums arguing for redistribution of wealth.
If you ask people, they'll typically say something about how if you work hard enough you can pull yourself up by your bootstraps, or some such thing. The idea is that enough hard work can get anyone to the top. There is the perception of equal opportunity in that regard. The point I am making here is that it isn't necessarily so. Money is a greater factor than hard work.