In tough economic times colleges need to change

The Advanced Placement program, which offers high school students college level courses in a variety of areas, released their scores for Vermont students last week. We did well. 1,945 Vermont seniors participated. Sixty-nine percent scored high enough to demonstrate college level mastery of the content (ninth highest in the nation). However, only nine percent of the students were from low- income families. Yet, fifty-six percent of them showed college level mastery.

These facts are an indication that our most talented and serious students are taking advantage of college level opportunities and that our secondary schools are offering quality programs. More low- income families are using AP classes as a way to get college credit early and inexpensively, particularly in areas of the state, like Franklin County, where transportation and distance makes it difficult to attend college classes and fulfill high school responsibilities. AP success builds student confidence as they realize they can be successful with college level courses, if they can afford the cost.

A recent college funding report recommends, “…expanding opportunities for high school students to begin college while still in high school, including advanced placement, international baccalaureate, and statewide dual enrollment programs.” This proposed solution is an indication of a great disconnect between high schools and colleges. It proposes changes by the high schools but not by our colleges and universities. Expanding opportunities for students will not work unless our colleges and university would agree to grant college credit each time a student is successful and demonstrates mastery. If higher education retains independent authority to accept or deny these credits, only higher income students will take advantage of them. Lower income families and students will not be comfortable taking this financial risk.

If our colleges and university were to give blanket acceptance of these recommended opportunities it would go a long way toward reducing debt for parents and students, reduce time to graduation, reduce dropout rates of low-income students and produce a
quality workforce with increased lifetime earnings. This is an educational and an economic issue. It is time for higher education to
step up to the plate.

Representative Gary L. Gilbert

Fairfax/Georgia