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Improving Access to College: Preparing for Education Beyond High School - Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Time: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET
“A college education is more important than ever, and too few Americans, especially too few African-Americans
and Hispanics, have one. As a nation, we’ve always answered the call to extend the promise of higher education to more Americans. We must look into the future…what legacy will we leave?”
--Margaret Spellings, U.S. Secretary of Education
Parents have higher educational goals for their children than ever before: a recent survey showed that 86 percent of parents want their children to pursue some postsecondary education. They want what’s best for their children, but more than ever before, we live in a world where what you earn is directly related to what you learn. Recent statistics are telling: about 80 percent of the fastest-growing jobs require postsecondary education, and on average, college graduates earn nearly twice as much as workers with only a high school diploma. In addition, our increasingly competitive global economy places even greater emphasis on the need for a college degree, as today’s jobs require advanced levels of skill and proficiency in math, science, and engineering. Recognizing this, Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings created the Secretary’s Commission on the Future of Higher Education, comprised of experienced educators and community and business leaders charged with finding new ways to improve the accessibility, quality, and affordability of higher education in our country.
Now more than ever, postsecondary education is affordable and within reach, but both academic and financial preparation must begin early. Over the past decade, programs ranging from state college savings plans to Federal tax credits and 529 plans have helped millions of families plan for their children’s academic future. With over $67 billion in Federal student aid, grants and loans, and billions more available through private scholarships, state and local programs or in exchange for military or volunteer service, college is within reach for everyone. By aligning high school standards with college entrance requirements, providing better financial and academic supports to students, and supporting innovative programs that expose students to college early, we can ensure that all students gain access to a high quality postsecondary education and succeed once they get there.
The January broadcast of Education News Parents Can Use will explore such issues as:
- What is the Secretary’s Commission on the Future of Higher Education and how is it working to improve and reform postsecondary education in the United States?
- Why is a college education more important than ever before? What federal, state and local strategies are helping us to meet this demand?
- How accessible is higher education? And how can we make it more affordable?
- How can we help students, especially minority youth, prepare for and succeed in college?
- When should parents and students start thinking about saving for college, and what programs and resources are available to help?
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Permission: Programs produced by the U.S. Department of Education are in the public domain. Use, duplication, and distribution are free and unrestricted. Thank You!
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