A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

To all the "grownups" who touch the life of someone in middle school or junior high:

Today, more than ever before, education is the fault line between those who will prosper in the new economy and those who will not. To prepare ourselves for the world of personal and professional choices in the 21st century, we must open the doors of college to all Americans and make two years of college as universal as high school is today. Yet many students never receive a college education, some because they lack the preparation for college and others because they lack the financial resources, and many people entering the work force are not prepared for the world of work. "Think College Early" is a response to these challenges.

For decades, the college-going rate of lower-income students has lagged far behind the rates for students from higher income families. Much of the problem stems from the fact that many lower-income families do not know how to plan for a college education, often because they simply have never done it before. Even supportive parents and families who want the best for their kids often don't know how to advise them. If we raised awareness among lower-income students who are now in grade school, we would improve the odds that high school graduation for those students will be a step toward even further education -- and a greater likelihood for a life of increased personal choices and a productive career.

> To students, the message is clear: Planning for your future means setting high expectations in all the work that you do; working hard and earning the best grades you can; finding and connecting with mentors who will support your positive goals; planning to take the right courses -- including algebra and geometry starting in the eighth and ninth grades -- to keep your education options open; and learning about the many financial aid opportunities available to you.

> But students cannot do it alone. Nor should the responsibility rest with parents alone, or with schools alone. Parents and families, schools, and many groups in the community can each play a role in providing our middle-grades students with support and help that will ultimately strengthen our workforce and our society. The powerful message of helping students to Think College Early needs the attention and support of everyone: families; schools; colleges and universities; community, religious, and arts organizations; state and local governments; and businesses.

Of the 19 million adolescents ages 10 through 14 in the United States, approximately 20 percent live below the poverty line and close to 30 percent are members of minority groups. Moreover, of the 14.3 million enrolled in higher education institutions in 1995, 83% of high school graduates from high-income families, aged 18-24, were enrolled in college the October following high school; 56% from middle-income families, and only 34% from low-income families. [U.S. Department of Education. (1997, June). The Condition of Education, 1997 (NCES 97-388). Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics, p. 62]

How can we improve these statistics? We can help families understand early on, while their children are in the middle grades, what will be required of them in order to go to college. Parents and families need to have accurate and clear information about college prep courses and programs for their children. Those who are aware of the many student assistance programs can help educate our families about financial aid opportunities so that no one decides against going to college because of lack of finances.

> Middle-grades educators at all levels can use their skills and expertise to reach students whose poverty and resulting lack of information and expectation, rather than their brainpower or capability, too often prevent them from pursuing and reaching higher education goals. All educators, because they have experienced college themselves, understand what it takes to be successful in college. Creating a program to explain what college is about can be as exciting in the planning as in the implementation. But to begin planning such a program, teachers and counselors need the support and encouragement of principals, superintendents, and school boards.

> Middle school students are surrounded by other members of the larger community who can make a difference in their aspirations, education, and awareness. When young adolescents visit the campuses and programs of local colleges and universities, they see -- early -- what education beyond high school is really like. Religious and other community organizations can help with mentoring programs and other support services. Local and state governments can provide support through programs that reflect the contribution to college awareness efforts of local businesses and community organizations. Businesses can join forces with families, schools, community organizations, and higher education institutions to help students become aware of the increased choices that a college education can provide.

> The Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development completed ten years of study in 1996. Great Transitions: Preparing Adolescents for a New Century, one of the Council's many research papers and reports, stated that:

"The years from ten through fourteen are a crucial turning point in life's trajectory"; and

"Adolescence, in fact, is the last phase of life in which society has reasonably ready access to virtually the entire population, so the potential for constructive influence is great."

With the help of this website, you can plan and partner with others to play a part in helping our nation's young people to examine the world of choices that await them. This is your opportunity to help raise post-secondary expectations among younger students, regardless of their background, while their outlook is bright and choices for their future are still wide open.

> Education is a "family matter." For students, it is hard work, and it requires a plan. For parents and families, it requires support and involvement. For schools from K-16, it demands high expectations for ALL students and the spirit of collaboration. For businesses, it takes commitment, through mentoring and communication with schools about what businesses expect in the workplace. For religious, community and arts organizations, it takes being a place youngsters can turn to for information and encouragement. Everyone is part of it; everyone shares responsibility for it; everyone depends on it; and everyone wins with it. As we all help our middle-school students and children to Think College Early, we are working together for our children's future.