Let’s Stop Worrying About the Wrong Problem (Dropping Out) and Address the Real Problem (Not Getting An Education Even IF They Stay In)

Simple steps raise the graduation rate, especially among minority students.

Source: What Can Stop Kids From Dropping Out – The New York Times#commentsContainer

I wrote:

Let’s stop worrying about them dropping out and start worrying about them actually getting an education. With a couple of years of REAL education they can drop out and get a good job; with a degree and NO real education, they can stay in and wind up with a bad job. Just think about the following.

In the 1960’s critical thinking skills of college students (who at that time studied, on average 25 hours a week) increased considerably more in 2 years than they do now in 4 years (when they study less than 13 hours a week)!

(For links and details, search for Arum and Roksa on my blog, inside-higher-ed .)