PICAYUNE —
In these times of recession in the US economy, high school graduates are attending college in record numbers, but that doesn’t mean they are necessarily ready for higher education.
Complete College America, a nonprofit group that researches college completion (or the lack thereof) indicates that 40 percent of high school graduates have to take some form of remedial education when they start college. Another credible organization, the Center for Civic Innovation at the Manhattan Institute, indicates that only 32 percent of high school students are prepared for college level work, and require remediation. That leaves somewhere in the neighborhood of 60 to 70 percent of high school graduates not prepared to take the big step towards college. Other statistics indicate that upwards of 66 percent of those taking a remedial or developmental class in college fail to persist towards graduation.
Pearl River Community College administrators and faculty indicate that many of these high school graduates do not even realize that they may be required to take developmental classes before the student can actually enroll in the class, or classes, that are actually needed to attain their degree. Although necessary, the developmental classes do not count as credit towards a degree.
Complete College America researchers estimate that this is costing students approximately $3 billion a year. Obviously, a large percentage of these costs are taxpayer funded since the classes cost the same as an actual college level class. Furthermore, the student was afforded the opportunity to learn this same material while at the high school level. Therefore, the taxpayer is getting charged twice; thus, leading to gross inefficiencies.
Policy makers are beginning to interject the idea of tying public taxpayer funding to graduation rates. The low completion rate achieved by those that must enroll in a developmental class will certainly drive administrators at colleges and universities to limit the number of students that are not ready for college level work. This could create a whole new problem. Where would all of these students that are not prepared to enroll in college go? There will be a lot of students seeking solace.
There are no easy answers, but there is definitely a problem.
Where do we, as a civil society, make changes to create solutions? Is the problem cultural? Are high schools not performing? Are college admissions standards too stringent?
I have my ideas and opinions and would like to hear yours.
Dr. Alsobrooks currently serves as the Vice President of Economic and Community Development at Pearl River Community College.
Business
Remedial and Developmental Education
- Business
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- Dual Enrollment Practical Nursing Program available at PRCC Some students possess the maturity level and academic wherewithal to begin studying toward a fruitful career path while still in high school. It is no secret that many earn most of the necessary credits towards a high school diploma by the completion of the junior year of school; thus, requiring the student to attend high school for part of the school day during their senior year. Many students have jobs or extracurricular school activities, such as band or athletics, to help round out the day. However, those not in falling into these categories often ended up with a lot of free time; fortunately policy makers in Mississippi are finding ways to assist these students.
- Senators Burks Hill and Smith along with Representative Frierson panelists for Chamber Business Review The Greater Area Picayune Chamber of Commerce held a Legislative Review for the business community, at Char Southern Steakhouse, Monday at 5:30 p.m. Panelists included State Senator District 40 Angela Burks Hill, State Senator District 47 Tony Smith, and State Rep. Herb Frierson of Poplarville. All are Republican. They spoke on the past session and bills they either authored or helped pass which impact local and state businesses.
- Investing in the community one building at a time There is a bit of a renaissance occurring in Pearl River County. This is happening one building at a time. It seems to be happening rather quietly, but the end results are going to help shape the future of the county and the cities located here.
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Medical Group gives back to community
, Children’s International Medical Group is proud to announce the opening of their pediatric clinic in Picayune.
The clinic is one of many throughout La. and Miss. which brings compassionate care centered around pediatric patients and the community in which they live.
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Charter Bank names Westfall as VP
Charter Bank is pleased to announce the addition of Rich Westfall as vice president of business development and marketing. His responsibilities will be to lead business and community development and oversee all marketing efforts for the bank.
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Weak Oracle sales, Cyprus fears weigh on US stocks
Stocks closed lower on Wall Street Thursday after Oracle’s weak sales results weighed down big U.S. technology companies. Traders also worried about Cyprus running out of time to avoid bankruptcy.
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Mississippi REALTORS® hold annual REALTOR® Day at the Capitol
On Feb.7, 2013 Pearl River County REALTORS® joined more than 120 Mississippi REALTORS® at the Mississippi State Capitol to take part in REALTOR® Day at the Capitol.
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More than school board needs to be changed: Part 2
Dr. Scott Alsobrooks/Guest Columnist
At quick glance, it is easy to see that the Mississippi economy will only need about 25 percent of its workforce at the bachelor’s level or higher. Most jobs still require only a high school degree, but many well paying jobs will require some sort of 2 year degree or a post high school type credential such as a certificate in welding, carpentry or plumbing. -
HORNE LLP welcomes Picayune native as spring accounting intern
HORNE LLP, one of the top accounting and business advisory firms in the nation, recently welcomed Melissa Pigott of Picayune, Miss., as a spring accounting intern. A total of 26 accounting students were selected for the highly competitive internship program.
Pigott is a student at the University of Southern Mississippi and is completing her internship in assurance services in the Ridgeland, Miss., office location. -
More than school board needs to be changed: Part 1
By Dr. Scott Alsobrooks/Guest Columnist
The Senate Education Committee passed Bill 2141 recently. The bill is championed by local Senator Tony Smith. While the bill would not affect Pearl River Central Schools, it would change the Picayune and Poplarville School Districts from a mix of appointed and elected board members, to all elected. An amendment was put in the bill to require board members to have at least one year of college. - More Business Headlines
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