Countering Fears of a Lost Generation in Higher Education
We are constantly bombarded with headlines that underscore concerns about the future of higher education. College students, particularly those of color, low-income backgrounds, and first-generation students, are bearing the brunt of the pandemic's negative impacts.
The statistics are sobering: rising levels of debt, declining enrollment rates, and mounting mental health challenges - all of which are disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. It's hard not to succumb to the fears of a lost generation, but that is where it falls upon us to take action.
The good news is that we can counter these fears by actively addressing the underlying issues. We need to work towards creating more equitable pathways to college, whether it be through expanding access to financial aid, providing more comprehensive support services for marginalized students, or increasing outreach efforts to underrepresented communities.
It is also crucial that we prioritize mental health initiatives and decrease the stigma around seeking out mental health support. The pandemic has taken a toll on everyone's mental health, but marginalized students, in particular, have faced unique challenges that warrant a targeted response.
Lastly, we must also address the growing issue of student debt. We need to advocate for policies that lower the burden of student debt on young people who are just starting their lives. One solution may be advocating for increased availability of grants and scholarships to cover the cost of tuition and fees. Another possible solution could be increasing funding for state schools, which would lower the overall cost of tuition for students and, ideally, decrease the amount of debt they accumulate during their college years. Additionally, we must advocate for policies that make it easier to refinance student loans and make them more manageable for borrowers. With the right policies in place, we can help alleviate the stress and financial burden that many students face when it comes to student debt and ensure that higher education remains accessible to all.
Striking Headlines
COVID-19 CLOUDS THE FUTURE FOR COLLEGIANS BY THE THOMAS B. FORDHAM INSTITUTE
As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, college students are facing uncertain and unprecedented challenges. A new study has highlighted the ways in which the pandemic has darkened the sense of the future for many college students.
Research indicates that more than half of the college students in the US currently expect to see a decrease in their GPA as well as in their chances of finding a job by graduation. These findings reflect the reality of the current situation, in which many students are making decisions based on a new and uncertain landscape.
Several factors are contributing to these challenges. Many students are facing unexpected obstacles, like the sudden need to manage remote learning, diminished access to campus resources, increased financial burdens, and the mental toll of navigating a global pandemic. In light of these challenges, many students are making difficult decisions, like delaying graduation, withdrawing from coursework, or reducing their study time.
However, these decisions can have long-term impacts that extend beyond the current crisis. The study found that low-income students are 55% more likely to delay their graduation than their wealthier peers. Additionally, first-generation students are 50% more likely to delay their graduation than their peers.
THE LATEST CRISIS: LOW-INCOME STUDENTS ARE DROPPING OUT OF COLLEGE THIS FALL IN ALARMING NUMBERS BY THE WASHINGTON POST
The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically impacted various sectors of society, including the education sector. In response, educational institutions shifted to online learning to ensure the safety of students and staff. However, this transition has not been without challenges.
One trend that has been noticed since the transition to online learning is the decreasing enrollments and increasing dropouts. This trend has been particularly noticeable among first-generation, low-income students. Several factors have been estimated to contribute to these trajectories.
One of the primary factors is the lack of access to the internet. In remote areas, students may not have Wi-Fi or internet-enabled devices, which makes it challenging to participate in online learning. This challenge puts these students at a significant disadvantage, particularly if they cannot afford these devices.
Another reason for the decreasing enrollments and increasing dropouts is fear of the coronavirus. Many students are scared to return to school or college campuses due to the risk of infection. As a result, they opt to postpone their education, withdraw, or drop out altogether.
Finally, the economic fallout from the pandemic is another factor that contributes to this trend. The worsening finances of families make it difficult for them to provide for their children's education.
AMERICA'S 'COLLEGE COMPLETION CRISIS' IS ABOUT TO GET WORSE BY YAHOO NEWS
This article emphasizes that while America already had a college completion crisis before 2020, the pandemic is only making it worse. College completion can sound much like a coin toss.
According to Tamara Hiler, director of education for the national think tank Third Way:
Statistical Highlight: On average, "students have a little more than a fifty-fifty shot at completing college." Those odds become increasingly worse for students of color and low-income students.
REPORT FINDS ENROLLMENT GAPS AT COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND AMONG BLACK STUDENTS BY DIVERSE EDUCATION
The current economic recession has brought about many changes, and one of the most significant is the unexpected decline in college enrollment. Unlike previous recessions, where people turned to colleges to enhance their skills and increase their chances of employability, fewer people are enrolling in colleges this time around. Dr. Doug Shapiro, an expert at the Clearinghouse Research Center, has calculated that this decline might be due to the challenges of online learning, including the lack of Wi-Fi and up-to-date technology.
This unexpected decline in enrollment poses a severe threat to the education sector. Educational institutions rely on consistent enrollment to remain operational, and a decrease in enrollment could lead to severe financial difficulties for schools. The decline in enrollment is particularly notable in community colleges, where Black undergraduate enrollment decreased by 11%, and Hispanic undergraduate enrollment increased at all institutions except community colleges.
Apart from the decline in enrollment, this economic recession has brought about other significant changes. Unlike previous recessions, where industries like manufacturing and construction bore the brunt of the economic downturn, this recession has affected service industries, including the hospitality and travel sectors. Moreover, the pandemic has forced many people to work from home.
REPORT IDENTIFIES WORRYING LONG-TERM ENROLLMENT TRENDS, PARTICULARLY FOR BLACK STUDENTS BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATORS (NASFAA) VIA THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS
The recently released report on declining enrollment trends highlights the long-term effects that these trends may have, especially on Black students. The report indicates that declining enrollment rates among individuals of color could threaten enrollment growth or make it more challenging for such students to graduate.
#StatisticalHighlight
According to the report, enrollment in higher education institutions declined by an average of 5 percentage points from 2014-15 to the 2018-19 academic year, which translates to over 1 million students. Public four-year institutions accounted for a 2.5 percentage point drop in enrollment, resulting in a loss of 425,000 students. Furthermore, there was a significant decline in Black individuals aged 18 to 24, which is the traditional college-aged population.
#DisproportionateImpact
The report highlights that the disproportionate impact of the virus and economic recessions on people of color could partly be responsible for the decline in Black student enrollment. The report mentions that quantitative and qualitative studies are necessary to gain an in-depth understanding of the factors contributing to the decline.
HIGHER ED'S MOST SUCCESSFUL FAILURE BY WASHINGTON MONTHLY VIA MDRC NEWS
Many students are still struggling to gain access to higher education resources, especially students of color and those from low-income backgrounds. This is largely due to the unbalanced allocation of higher education funding, according to a recent article.
The article asserts that community colleges, which typically serve more diverse and low-income student populations, receive markedly less funding per student than four-year institutions. Public four-year institutions, which tend to enroll wealthier and whiter students, commonly spend three times more per student than community colleges. Private four-year schools, on the other hand, regularly allocate five times as much funding per student as community colleges.
This funding imbalance translates into a lack of vital resources and support for the students who need it the most. Students from underrepresented backgrounds often face significant economic and social barriers that can hinder their academic progress. Without sufficient resources and support, these students may struggle to apply to college, complete their degrees, and move on to successful careers.
To address this issue, the article suggests a tiered-federal funding model. This approach would allocate more funding to institutions providing proven student success strategies, particularly those with a track record of helping students of color and low-income students.
The Bottom Line
The ultimate worry for higher education is that if trends such as racial and ethnic disparities, low-income rates, and first-generation completion rates continue, they may erase the access that underserved student populations have gained over the past few years. While the U.S. higher education system has made significant strides in providing access opportunities for all students, research shows that disparities still exist.
Historically underrepresented groups of students, including those from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds, low-income families, and first-generation students, are not receiving the same equitable resources as their academic pipeline peers. This lack of support and resources is perpetuating the disparities and slowing down progress.
Unfortunately, the pandemic has compounded these issues. The economic and demographic changes that have resulted from it could have a significant impact on the progress made in these underserved communities. If void of the proper support and resources, the pandemic effects could reverse progress altogether.
It is essential to ensure that these historically underserved groups of students continue to have access to equal resources and support. We need to strengthen our commitment to providing equitable access to education for all, regardless of background or socioeconomic status. Only then can we continue to move forward and make meaningful progress in ensuring access to higher education opportunities for all students.
BEYOND COLLEGE ACCESS
In today's world, college enrollment has become a crucial factor in maintaining or improving the "bottom line" of the education industry. However, this focus on enrollment must be balanced with commitments to maintain and improve completion rates and other post-enrollment outcomes. It is not enough to simply ensure that students get access to college; we must also guarantee that students get the support and resources they need to complete their degrees.
To end the educational equity gap, we must focus on three crucial factors: getting students ready for college, providing access to college, and ensuring degree completion. Leaders at all levels of the education industry, from policymakers to university administrators, must prioritize students' unique needs and provide individualized support. Adequate funding is also crucial to this mission.
If we do not take the necessary steps to close the equity gap, we face the looming threat of deepened educational and social divisions. This would be a significant setback to progress made in expanded college access over the past two decades and would hinder our democratic mission of equal opportunity.
As individuals who care about the future of education, we must work collaboratively to ensure that all students have the necessary resources and support to succeed.
Contact us when you need a consultative partner with specialized expertise—Beyond College Access.