I have not posted for
over a month because I am teaching introductory biology while taking education
classes to broaden my options. I am also reeling from the culture shock of teaching so many students who have no idea how unready they are for college. This was less of an issue when I taught introductory chemistry because the students were screened by means of an entrance exam. Obama once said that
"everyone" should go to college. Whether or not you voted for him,
most science teachers (and a few of the more rigorous liberal arts teachers)
know that this delusion misleads students who would thrive better in vocational
programs. As an adjunct who teaches introductory course, my having a job is
highly dependent on enrollment, but I would rather get less hours than play
"hatchet man" to nearly a quarter of the class. Even though I often disagree
with former senator Rick Santorum, he was correct in calling Obama a
"snob" for this preposterous statement.
Here is my
solution: Keep enrollment open because everyone should get a chance to try,
regardless of the odds. However, everyone who chooses to go to college
has a right to know their odds of finishing college. This can be easily
accomplished by having all college enrollees take the SAT (or its equivalent).
When they get their scores, the ETS should send them data on their probability of
finishing college. If this data does not already exist, I am sure it is easy to
compile. The disappointment of learning there is only a 10% chance you will
finish college is nothing compared to the hardship of working in McDonald's to
pay off a student loan for classes you never passed.
