The Growing College Gap

Graff, Gerald., Birkenstein, Cathy., Durst, Russel. They Say I Say and "The Decline and Fall of  Declinism." The Growing College Gap. Ed. Tamara Draut. New York: Norton, 2009. Print

In this anthology Tamara Draut, director of the Economic Opportunity Program at Demos, explains an invisible gap between the educated and the people who want to become so. Today, many students who can afford to graduate usually do while the people who struggle to pay for school become less likely to succeed. Draut also mentions how school is affordable to some and why mainly the wealthy graduate.

"The paradox facing young adults today is meeting the demand for more credentials in a context of declining financial aid support and skyrocketing tuition. The more diplomas you earn, the better your chances of getting into the middle class and staying there."

After the reading I was very interested in knowing when the GI Bill was passed. My father was in the military for twenty years and thanks to his commitment in the military, much of my education is being paid for by the government. Without the bill I probably would not be able to attend any four year university in California. This quote really caught my attention after reading how diplomas ensure ones class in society. It is unfortunate to believe some high school graduates cannot afford to go to secondary school. I suggest education be everyones' right no matter what background. If our country has hope for a good future then the majority of people should be educated after highschool. Although some kids do need to go to work to support a family, most are still capable of having at least five units. In that sense at least everyone will have some education. Eventually more will become educated and as will the next generation. My solution might be a good one, it might not. Regardless however, if a future candidate for presidency proposes one I will vote for them. There is no possible way for our nation to prosper if no one is educated.