Their Whole Lives Ahead of Them

8/6/2019 Their Whole Lives Ahead of Them

1/52

With Teir Whole LivesAhead o Tem

Myhs a Ras A Why S May Ss Fa Fsh C

A PubliC AgendA RePoRt FoR tHe bill & MelindA gAteS FoundAtion


2/52

With their Whole lives AheAd o them

by Ja Jhs a J Rchk wh Amr n. o a Samaha dP

Prpar wh sppr frm hb & Ma gas Fa

dwa a cpy f Wh thr Wh lvs Aha f thm a

hp://www.pcaa.r/thrWhlvsAhafthm

ds: tamk ds, llC | Cpy: Jas Mr a Sa V

ths wrk s cs r h Crav Cmms Ar-ncmmrca-Shar Ak 3.0 upr

lcs. t vw a cpy f hs cs, vs hp://cravcmms.r/css/y-c-sa/3.0/ r s a r

Crav Cmms, 171 Sc Sr, S 300, Sa Fracsc, Cafra 94105, uSA.


3/52

introduction ..............................................................................................................2

myth And reAlity no. 1 ............................................................................................5

myth And reAlity no. 2 ............................................................................................9

myth And reAlity no. 3 .......................................................................................... 12

myth And reAlity no. 4 .......................................................................................... 15

so WhAt Would help? ............................................................................................. 18

About the study .......................................................................................................22

ull survey results ...............................................................................................23

chArActeristics o the sAmple ..........................................................................44

our thAnKs ................................................................................................................47

About the bill & melindA GAtes oundAtion ..................................................47

About public AGendA ..............................................................................................48

With Teir Whole Lives Ahead o Tem | 1

With Teir Whole LivesAhead o Tem

Myhs a Ras A Why S May Ss Fa Fsh C


4/52

Ag u.s. da ea, 20 g

w g g a a w-a gaaw a.1 t a a a -a , w

a 4 10 a g w a.2 A ak

a aa g a a aag. i

, a g.

t a a a a a a,

ag, a a a a a u.s. aa

a a a a a qa. i 2009, p baak oaa a ga u

sa a g g gaa w.

m a, a a a w a a

aa 5 Aa w g a a

a.3

2 | With Teir Whole Lives Ahead o Tem

introduction


5/52

Why do students leAve

school Without inishinG?Te question bedeviling many o those concerned about

higher education and the economy is why so many

college students drop out. Some 2.8 million students

enroll in some orm o higher education each all, in

two- and our-year programs and in public, private,

online, and or-prot institutions.4 Tese young people

are motivated enough to start college, and somehow they

manage to nd sucient resources to enroll, but getting

a college ID card, buying the books and showing up or

class doesnt mean they are poised to complete a degree.What exactly goes wrong?

Several thought-provoking studies have looked at the

question in recent years and advanced many possible

explanations: rising tuition costs, poor academic prepara-

tion and study skills, minimal student support and

advisory services in higher education, too many young

people going to college even though they really do not

want to, and too many proessors and advisers complain-

ing because, as they see it, completion is the students

responsibility.

5

Leaders debate dierent ways to tacklethe problem. Some want to provide more nancial

support and better services or students. Others ocus

on revamping higher education policies and programs

in ways that would encourage more young people to

complete a degree or certicate.

With Teir Whole Lives Ahead o Tem asks young

Americans why so many college students drop out. Tis

study is designed to test the assumptions many o us

make about college students today and why so many o

them ail to graduate. It also helps to identiy solutions

that young people themselves say would help most. With

underwriting rom the Bill & Melinda Gates Founda-

tion, Public Agenda surveyed more than 600 young

adults, ages 22 to 30, who had at least some higher

education coursework. We asked those who started

college but did not complete a degree why they let,

and we compared their views, experiences and responses

with those o students who had successully completed

a two- or our-year college program. More detailed

inormation about how we conducted the study can be

ound at http://www.publicagenda.org/theirwholelives

aheadothem/methodology.

1 u.s. da ea, naa c ea sa, ipeds 20062007, Gaa ra .

2 u.s. da ea, naa c ea sa, 1996/01, bgg pa s lga s.

3 ://www.w.g/__/e---p-ak--Wa-mga-a-a----Aa-Gaa-

ia/.

4 dg ea sa, i ea s, 2008.

5 s, a: bw, cg a mp, Crossing the Finish Line: Completing College at Americas Public Universities, p

u p, 2009. A: h a s, da a d: W cg Aa Gaa t s (a W d),

Aa e i, J 3, 2009.



6/52

todAys colleGe

students: not necessArilyWhAt you expect

As background to the survey ndings, it may be helpul

to begin with a clearer picture o college students today.

Many o us envision young people living in college

dorms, going to school ull-time, attending ball games

and raternity parties, maybe working a ew hours a week

or in the summer to bring in a little spare cash. In high

school, perhaps, they dreamed about going to a particular

school, lled out application ater application and waited

eagerly or the acceptance letter to arrive. Te acts,though, show quite a dierent picture:

Amongstudentsinfour-yearschools,45percentwork more than 20 hours a week.6

Amongthoseattendingcommunitycolleges,6 in 10 work more than 20 hours a week, andmore than a quarter work more than 35 hoursa week.7

Just25percentofstudentsattendthesorto residential college we oten envision.8

Twenty-threepercentofcollegestudentshave

dependent children.9

hoW should hiGher

educAtion respond?Given these realities, its not surprising that when Public

Agenda surveyed young people about what led them to

leave college earlyand what would help them to return

and nishwe got some surprising answers. With Teir

Whole Lives Ahead o Tem oers rsthand testimony

rom young people about the barriers they ace trying

to earn a degree or credential. It is testimony that, we

believe, poses a moral challenge to higher education and

the country as a whole. I we truly aim to help this new

group o nontraditional students ulll their aspirations,college and university ocials, state and ederal policy-

makers, employers, oundations and other advocates

trying to ramp up college completion need to take a

resh, clear-eyed look at their current assumptions and

practices. Te ndings here reveal gaps in the higher

education system that serve to undercut the eorts o

students who need to work and go to school at the same

time. Tey raise serious questions about long-standing

policies that seem prooundly ill suited to students who

simply cannot aord to go to school ull-time or several

years. Tey powerully suggest the need or innovativeresponses that would help more young Americans

continue their education, but in better-organized and

more cost-eective programs. Te results o this research

pose a challenge.

h a g

.

6 u.s. da ea, 20072008 naa pa s A s; va oz a na K. ca, Wk l, s

m & s: hw aa s ca i pa s, d, 2009.

7 i.

8 u.s. da ea, naa c ea sa, 2008, naa pa s A s, a w

a a.

9 i.



7/52

Te number one reason students give or leaving school

is the act that they had to work and go to school at the

same time and, despite their best eorts, the stress o

trying to do both eventually took its toll. More than halo those who let higher ed beore completing a degree or

a certicate say that the need to work and make money

while attending classes is the major reason they let.

Balancing work and school was an even bigger barrier

than nding money or tuition. Tose who dropped out

are almost twice as likely to cite problems juggling work

and school as their main problem as they are to blame

tuition bills (54 percent to 31 percent).

Te problem oten begins in the rst year. O those

who ail to graduate, more than 6 in 10 report that thestatement I had to work as well, and it was too stressul

trying to do both described their rst year o school;

more than a third say it describes their rst year a lot.

In contrast, nearly hal o those who graduated

(48 percent) say this statement doesnt describe their

rst year in school at all.10

Few ormer students say they let college because they

were bored or ound that college just isnt or them.

Only about 1 in 10 students who have let college say

a major reason they quit was that they didnt like sitting

in class or thought the classes were too dicult.

WorK is the top reAson younGAdults Give or not returninGto colleGe once they leAve.

More than a third (36 percent) o those who let school

say that even i they had a grant that ully paid or tuition

and books, it would be hard to go back. And twice as

many o them say the need to work ull-time

MYTH NO. 1: m g g -. i a w a g, a w a a wa wk a.

REALITY NO. 1: m a g a a wkg a gg a a . A , wk a j .

10 A pw ha a a ag ha 74 ha ag 1625 a g

a i a. s ://wa.g///115..

myth And reAlity no. 1



8/52


(56 percent) and amily commitments (53 percent)

are major reasons they cant go back, compared with

26 percent who say they would not be able to aord

college. In the ocus groups, young people oten de-

scribed their predicaments. A young woman in Seattle

said, Yeah, I think [working and going to school] was

hard. You want to work so that you can help pay o [your

tuition and loans] so you dont have this accumulating

debt. I think, or me, it always got in the way. I didnt

have enough time in the day to get everything done.

A young woman rom the Phoenix area who had

dropped out but recently returned to classes told us,

Its very hard because I go to school three nights a week.

I work rom 8 to 5. I dont get home until 9:30, 10 at

night I also think my dedication to my classes could

be better i I didnt work as much. A young man in Erie,

Pennsylvania, who hoped to return to school described

his ears that he might never get a diploma: Te reason

why Im set back is because I got a wie, kids. My wies

doing her thing. Once shes done with that then she can

stay at home and take the side job, whatever that shes

doing. Ten I can do my thing at school, and then once

Im done well have the jobs.

Many o the young people we interviewed believed that

they could not aord not to work or the time it would

take to complete a degree. Tey had to have a paying job

to make ends meet. Far rom being slackers, as some

people imagine, they were oten assuming responsibilities

and nancial burdens that traditional ull-time college

students do not have to shoulder. It is a test o maturity

and perseverance that more auent students are usually

not required to ace.

Such responses to our survey are a bracing reminder

that the world o higher education has changed markedly

over the years. For many students today, the experience

o going to college is a ar cry rom that o the stereo-

typicalJoeCollegesooftenseeninthemoviesandon

television. For these students, the balancing act is not

between going to class and attending ootball games and

rat parties; its more likely between going to class and

punching a clock in order to pay the rent. Teirs is a

dilemma that relatively ew government or higher

education programs readily address.



9/52

t w a aag wk a a g a.

0 20 40 60 80 100

I found it hard to live away from home

I had a hard time writing college papers

I was not used to having so much freedom

I was overwhelmed by the amount of studying I had to do

I found it hard to pay attention in class

I spent too much time socializing and not enoughtime studying

I had to work as well, and it was too stressfultrying to do both

The cost of textbooks and other fees besidestuition affected me financially

18%8% 10%

22%

4%

18%

36%12% 24%

38%11% 27%

29%13% 16%

50%17% 33%

46%16% 30%

50%12% 38%

43%18% 25%

38%9% 29%

47%23% 24%

50%14% 36%

63%35% 28%

52%26% 26%

60%36% 24%

58%23% 35%

Thinking about your first year in school, please tellme if the following describes you:

GraduatedDid not graduate

A little

A lot

A little

A lot


0 20 40 60 80 100

Some of the classes were too difficult

I didnt like sitting in class

All things considered, it just didnt seem to be worththe money I was paying

I thought many of the classes were boring

I didnt have enough time for my family

I had to take too many classes that I did notthink were useful

I needed a break from school

I just couldnt afford the tuition and fees

I needed to go to work and make money

Minor reasonMajor reason

Percent who say the following is a reason whythey did not complete their program:

71%

52%

54%

43%

41%

45%

35%

38%

34%

54%

31%

21%

16%

16%

14%

14%

10%

11%

17%

21%

33%

27%

25%

31%

21%

24%

27%

hag wk a ga g w .

bas: 2230-yar-s wh cmp hrpsscary ca. bas: 2230-yar-s wh sm psscary ca.


n: Qs wr chars may shy fr spac. F qs wr

s avaa h F Srvy Rss a h f hs rpr. Prcas may qa100 prc w r r h mss f sm aswr cars.


10/52


a a wk a a a wa ak g ak.

0 20 40 60 80 100

I dont think any college would accept me

No school near me seems to have a program thatI am really interested in

No school near me has classes that fit my schedule

I still would not be able to afford college

I have family commitments

I really need to work full-time, and I dont think I couldwork and go to school at the same time

75%

72%

55%

48%

32%

22%

56%

53%

26%

17%

7%

14%

19%

19%

29%

31%

15%

18%

Percent who say the following is a reason why itwould still be hard for them to go back to school:

Minor reasonMajor reason

m w a a g agg ak

65%

9%

2%

24%

How much thought have you given to goingback to schoola lot of thought, some thought

or no thought at all?

Some thought

A lot of thought

Dont know

No thought at all

bas: 2230-yar-s wh cmp hrpsscary ca.

bas: 2230-yar-s wh f sch a saha v f a ks wr pa fr, w har rr.



11/52

MYTH NO. 2: m g a a a ak aaag a aaa a, a, a ag a.

REALITY NO. 2: yg w a g a gg a aa.t a g g .

REASON NO. 2:I Have to Pay My Own Way

According to one recent analysis, college costs have

risen more than 400 percent in the last 25 years, while

the median amily income has increased less than 150

percent.11 And even though the pressure o having tobalance the demands o a job and school is the major

reason young people say they drop out o college, it

would be misleading to dismiss the role o rising college

costs and stagnant amily incomes. National statistics

show that young people who leave college without a

degree are more likely than their peers to come rom less

privileged backgrounds and to live in more precarious

economic circumstances.12 Tis study revealed that these

students oten bear the ull responsibility o paying or

school: Nearly 6 in 10 students in our study who lethigher education without graduating say that they had

to pay or college costs themselves, rather than being able

to count on help rom their amilies. In contrast, more

than 6 in 10 o those who completed their degrees say

they had help rom parents or other relatives to cover

the costs o school.

11 t naa c p p a ea, mag u 2008 ; va oz a na K. ca, Wk l, s m,

& s: hw aa s ca i pa s, d, 2009.

12 e a eag r, ba la sa, Ag 2009.




12/52

a w aa a wa w a .

0 20 40 60 80 100

In their first year, they had to work as well while in school

and it was stressful to do both (described them a lot)

Their parents always instilled the importance of

higher education (described them closely)

They would have attended a different school if money

were not an issue

Their parents' highest degree is a high school

diploma or less

They selected their school because it had a class schedule

that worked with their own schedule (major reason)

They did not have a scholarship or financial aid

to help pay for college

They chose their college based on its proximity

to where they live or work (major reason)

38%

21%

39%

60%

46%

37%

50%

21%

54%

37%

62%

49%

62%

45%

Percent of students who say:

Students whose parents

or other relatives helped

pay for college

Students whose parents

or other relatives did

not help pay for college

t w a k a a

0 20 40 60 80 100

Loans of some sort

A scholarship or financial aid

Parents or other relatives

58%

69%

69%

37%

43%

51%

Percent who did not have the following to help pay

for post secondary education:



bas: 2230-yar-s wh sm psscary ca.bas: 2230-yar-s wh sm psscary ca.



13/52


Young people who ail to nish college are also substan-

tially less likely to have received scholarships or nancial

aid, loans or even good advice about how to get help.

About 7 in 10 o those who leave school report that they

did not have scholarships or nancial aid, compared with

about 4 in 10 o those who graduate. Te majority o

students (62 percent) who told us that they alone were

responsible or paying or college (regardless o whether

they dropped out) report that their high school guidance

counselors did a poor or only air job o helping them to

understand the college application process. Among

students who had nancial support rom their parents,

less than hal said the same.

Unortunately, about 3 in 10 o those young people

who leave school without getting a diploma report that

they have college loansmoney that has to be repaid

even though they do not have the nancial leg up that

a college degree aords. In many respects, they have the

worst o both worldsno diploma, but college loans

to repay.

With Teir Whole Lives Ahead o Tem | 11With Teir Whole Lives Ahead o Tem | 11


14/52

MYTH NO. 3: m g g a g g a aa aa.

REALITY NO. 3: Ag w gaa, g a a aa a .

In recent years, the media have been awash with

can you believe it? stories about the college selection

and application process and the stress it engenders in

auent amilies. According to the coverage, amilies areorganizing summer vacations around visiting colleges.

High school students are lling out dozens o applica-

tions, sometimes with a coach whose job it is to help

them present themselves at their best. A cottage industry

o publications, Web sites and experts oers advice on

selecting the right college and getting into it.

But according to this survey, many young Americans

and especially those who ail to get a diplomabarely

go through any college selection process at all. Teir

options may be quite limited because they do not havethe nancial resources to go away to school and/or they

are able to consider only those options that mesh with

their job schedules and amily responsibilities. In many

instances, college selection is more constrained and

happenstance than deliberate choice.13 Among those who

did not complete college, two-thirds say they selected

their school primarily or its convenient location, nearly6 in 10 because its schedule worked with theirs and

57 percent because the tuition and ees were aordable.

A third based their choice on the academic reputation o

the school and only a quarter on recommendations rom

riends and amily.

Given that students who drop out o college are ar

more likely to come rom amilies in which neither

parent has a college degree, the minimal role played by

recommendations rom riends and amily may not be

surprising. Perhaps most notable is that when respon-dents who dropped out o college were asked about the

most important reason they chose their school, a third

named convenience or proximity to their home.

13 ra a w a a g a w a g aa aag

, w-a a wa -a g. s, a: nagaka, rk a ca, ba cg

Aa: l cag, t c cag s ra a u cag, Jaa 2009.




15/52

t w a k a w g a a a a aa.

Prc wh say h fw s a majr ras why hy sc hr sch:


bas: 2230-yar-s wh sm psscary ca.

did not GrAduAte

i wa a w i wk

66%

i a a a awk w

59%

t a w aa

57%

i g gg w g a g j a i gaa

54%

i az aj a j i wa

54%

i wa a i w aa gg a

43%

t aa aa a

41%

t a aaa

33%

ra a

25%

i wa awa

11%

GrAduAted


57%

t a w aa

56%

i az aj

a j i wa

54%

t a aaa

54%

i wa a w i wk

45%

i wa a i w aa gg a

39%

t aa aa a

38%

i a a a awk w

36%

ra a

29%

i wa awa

22%



16/52

In Seattle, a woman who had let college said, I just

picked [the school] that was close to where I lived and

that a couple o my riends were going to. In Phoenix,

a man told us, It was ASU [Arizona State University]

that I chose, partly because o cost and partly just because

o proximity, because ASU is really the easiest school or

me to get to rom where I live.

For students who successully complete their degrees,

the selection process is dramatically and substantively

dierent: Teir top reasons or choosing their school

include that the school oered a desired program or

major, the belie that going to the school will help

them secure a good job and the schools academic

reputation.Tuitionandfeesareimportantconsiderations

or any college student today, but among those who

dropped out, the selection process seems more a matter

o chance or location, not the pursuit o a specic goal

or uture career.




17/52

MYTH NO. 4: s w gaa a a a g g a q a a- ag w .

REALITY NO. 4: s w a g az a a a a a, a gz a g w a .

REASON NO. 2:I Have to Pay My Own Way

Tis survey leaves little doubt that young Americans

who dropped out o college oten aced the double-

edged challenge o working to make a living and going

to school at the same time. Whats more, many seemto have drited into college without a specic goal or

purpose beyond hoping or a better job or a better

uture. But do those who ail to graduate have the same

urgency about getting a degree as those who do graduate?

Do they see the attainment o a degree as something

essential to their uture, something that requires whatever

sacrice and eort may be required?

Tis study and others have shown persuasively that most

young people acknowledge that having a college degree

will pay o in the end. Most also say they have receiveda air amount o encouragement to go to college rom

amily, school and other sources.14 Yet the ndings here

suggest that young people who leave college beore

nishing are somewhat less likely to hold these views

passionately. Tat is, as a group they are less likely to

strongly agree that their parents always instilled in them

the importance o college, less likely to strongly agreethat people who have a college degree make more money

and less likely to say they would still go to college i they

knew they could get a good job without a degree.

And, again, although most young people who drop

out say that going to college was their plan even in high

school, the numbers are slightly weaker than or those

who successully completed their degrees. Students who

ail to graduate are 16 percentage points less likely to say

that they always knew they would continue to college

and 15 points less likely than those who completedcollege to say that their teachers and counselors probably

thought they would go to college immediately ater

high school.

14 l A hg s, p Aga, 2004.




18/52

a a w w w g a gg.

0 20 40 60 80 100

My teachers and counselors in high school probablythought I would go to college right after high school

When you were in high school, you always knewyou were going to continue on to higher education

68%

67%

83%

83%

Percent who agree that:


maj a g a a, w a k

0 20 40 60 80 100

I went to my college/school because myparents always instilled in me the importanceof higher education

I know many people who make a good living whodo not have a college degree

In the long run, you will make more money if youhave a college degree

I would still make the decision to go to schoolbecause what you learn there is so important

52%

43%

50%

66%

77%

90%

40%

57%

Percent who agree strongly that:



bas: 2230-yar-s wh sm psscary ca.bas: 2230-yar-s wh sm psscary ca.



19/52


Te dierences here are subtle. Students who drop out

o college are only slightly less likely to endorse the

benets o higher education or to say that attaining a

degree has always been their plan. In some respects, this

may be a natural outcome o having let collegeater

all, one needs to believe that he or she still has a good

uture ahead. Nevertheless, though these response

variations are relatively small, they may play a role in a

students ultimate decision to leave school. For someone

who is scrambling to work and attend classes at the same

time and has taken on the burden o paying part or all

o his or her own way, even a small amount o uncer-

tainty could be the tipping point. Or, as an old Spanish

expression has it, it could be the drop o water that nally

makes the glass overfow.



20/52

m a aa a ag g

a a akg a aaa a kg . b a aj g w a

a g w a g (, , a a

a) a w g

f a ga ag wkg

a gg a a . eg 10 w

g w a a w ak

g gaa a: 1) akg a-

g aa a (81 a w a );

a 2) g g a wk a

wkg w akg a (78 a w

a ).


so WhAt Would help?


21/52

O course, theres little doubt that changes in costs and

an expansion o the availability o nancial aid would

be enormously helpul to nearly all college students

those who complete their programs as well as those who

struggle to do so. When young adults were asked to name

which among our list o proposals would be most likely

to help them and people like them, 25 percent o those

who dropped out and 40 percent o those with degrees

suggest as their top priority cutting the cost o college

by a quarter.

Would A colleGe

ever do thAt?Nearly two-thirds o young Americans who let college

without nishing say that they have given a lot o

thought to returning. In the ocus groups, almost to

a person, these young people talked about their aspira-

tions and the hopes or their lives. A woman in Erie,

Pennsylvania, described her dream: I want the 8 to 5

[job], no weekends. I want the set schedule. I want the

job thats indoors, nicer, and the majority o the time,

i you want to move up in a job like that, you got to

have a degree. A young woman in Seattle who aspiredto become a teacher but had let school beore getting

her degree said, I have to nish school. Im already

working with kids. Ive worked in a day care or over

six years. I have the experience. I just need to go back

to school. Nearly every young person we talked to

shared his or her desire to do more in lie. Yet despite

their dreams, many were working in jobs that didnt

seem to oer any way to get where they want to go.

Tis study revealed some eminently practical steps that

schools could take to benet this group, beyond simply

oering more and bigger loans to help pay tuition costs.

Having enough money or tuition and books is step

one, to be sure, but by itsel that step may not provide

the breathing space that many o these young people

need to stay the course. Numerous responses suggest

that one set o solutions might revolve around making

part-time attendance more viable by giving those

students better access to loans, tuition assistance and

health carebenets and services that are requently

available only to ull-time students.

Tere may also be implications or employers. Are

there ways that businesses can help part-time workers

to pursue higher education, perhaps by providing access

to health benets or by oering more predictable

working hours so that would-be students can more

easily schedule their classes? Part-time work is oten

seasonal or otherwise vulnerable to the business cycle

and other economic ups and downs. Would more secure

part-time employment options be a game changer or

some students?

In a ocus group in Erie, Pennsylvania, several young

women gasped in disbelie when the moderator listed

child care as one o many possibilities or solutions to

the college dropout problem. O course that would help,

several immediately agreed. Would a college ever do

that? most o them asked. A woman in Seattle who had

dropped out o college said, Te one [school] I was at,

they have a huge waiting list or the day care. It was just

really dicult to get in. It was all really complicated to

get it subsidized, at least where you werent paying $300

a week, plus whatever youre paying or tuition.



22/52

t w a a a w ak g aaa .

Hw w h fw hp sm whs crcmsacs ar smar yrs wr afr hh sch a c r? Prc wh say h fw w hp a :

bas: 2230-yar-s wh sm psscary ca.

did not GrAduAte

Aw a- qa aa a

81%

o g, wk a wk wag

78%

c ag g 25 78%

ha g g a

76%

p a a w

76%

mak a g a g a g wk

73%

ha ga w a a-ag, a aa wk

69%

p a a a, akg aa-

69%

t ak w aw kw a a g a j-ag ga a ak a g

68%

i ag aa g a a

67%

p a 57%

mak g aa a

50%

GrAduAted

c ag g 25

83%

mak a g a g a g wk

79%

ha ga

w a a-ag, a a a wk

73%

Aw a- qa aa a

72%

o g, wk a wk wag

72%

t ak w a

w kw a a g a j-ag ga a ak a g

71%

ha g g a

66%

i ag aa g a a

64%

p a a w

59%

p a a a, akg aa-

55%

p a 53%

mak g aa a

43%



23/52

mAybe i Wont GrAduAte,

but my children WillWhat is clear rom these results is that it would be a

mistake o the highest order to write o these young

people because they dropped out o college. Nearly all

young adults understand the value o knowledge and

know-how in todays world. Even though many hedge

their bets, given whats happened in their own lives,

most do grasp the economic acts o lie: Attaining a

college degree can change your lie. Most strive to

complete school; most would like to return to school,

but the realities o their lives become insurmountable

obstacles. Perhaps the most poignant evidence o how

these young people really eel about college is this: Even

though they themselves let beore nishingand

chances are that many o those we spoke to will never

return to higher educationully 97 percent o young

American parents who dropped out o college say that

they will encourage their own children go to college.

Given their aspirations and their clear message that some

distinctly practical and attainable changes could genu-

inely enhance their prospects, the ball is now in our

court. As a society, are we willing to act on what they

have to say?



24/52

r a 0.5 a g a ak. r z a g a a. ra awa a 100 wg g. cg aw ag a g a

w a .

W t W l Aa t a a a aa

a a 614 22--30-a- w a a -a a. iw w ma 7 J 24,

2009, g a a a , a a

g w eg sa. t ag

4.8 ag . hw, g

w ag g q a w ak a

. t wa g

a .

a a g,

://www.aga.g/waa/g.


About the study


25/52

Total

Didnot

completea

PSEProgram

CompletedPSE

InProgress

=614%

=200%

=281%

=133%

s1. oa, a a a w wa g a gg a a a?

Satised 80% 59% 90% 78%

Dissatised 19% 41% 9% 22%

Dont know/Reused * * 1%

[Note: Tere is no Q1-7.]

Q8. Wa a g w, wa ?

Business administration/Accounting/Marketing 19% 18% 16%

Education/Earlychildhoodeducation/Childcare 9% 6% 11%Liberal arts 8% 5% 2%

Art/Fine arts/Perorming arts 7% 4% 2%

Nursing 7% 5% 6%

Health care 6% 5% 14%

Computerscience/Informationtechnology 6% 6% 3%

General studies 6% 3% 2%

Science 4% 6% 2%

Psychology 4% 3% 1%

Criminaljustice/Criminology 4% 1% 4%

Engineering 3% 4% 3%

Social sciences(anthropology, geography, history, political science and sociology)

2% 4% 2%

Religious studies 2% *

Cosmetology 1% * 3%

Culinaryarts 1% 1% 2%

Environmental studies 1% 1%

Communication 1% 8% 2%

Counseling 1% 1%

Economics/Finance 4% 5%

Law * 2% 3%

Social work 1% 5%

Agriculture * 5%

Skilled trades * *

Other 7% 10% 7%

Dont know 5% 1% 4%

ull survey results



26/52

Total

Didnot

completea

PSEProgram

CompletedPSE

InProgress

=614%

=200%

=281%

=133%

Q9. bg a a a a, w k k a 10 a?

I will be on track toward a successul career 88% 79% 91% 95%

I am not sure i I will be closer to a successul career 10% 18% 7% 4%

Dont know 2% 3% 1% 1%

Q10. i a gg a a a a wa a a gg g.

pa ag ag w a a.

i g , w ak a a g g

Strongly agree 64% 52% 66% 77%Somewhat agree 22% 27% 19% 21%

Somewhat disagree 8% 13% 7% 2%

Strongly disagree 4% 6% 4% *

Dont know 2% 2% 2%

cg j k

Strongly agree 50% 54% 47% 51%

Somewhat agree 39% 34% 42% 37%


Strongly disagree 5% 5% 5% 5%

Dont know * 1%i kw a w ak a g g w a a g g

Strongly agree 41% 50% 40% 31%

Somewhat agree 37% 30% 37% 46%


Strongly disagree 7% 6% 6% 10%

Dont know 1% 1% 1% 1%

[Note: Tere is no Q11.]

Q12. pa w w w, a g.

In this economic climate, it is really essential to have a college degree 54% 36% 61% 60%

Because o the economic climate, everyone is having a hard timegetting a job, so having a college degree doesnt really help that much

45% 62% 37% 36%

Dont know 1% 2% 1% 3%

ull survey results



27/52

Total

Didnot

completea

PSEProgram

CompletedPSE

InProgress

=614%

=200%

=281%

=133%

Q13. pa w w w, a g.

I there were plenty o good jobs available without an advanceddegree, I probably would not have gone to school ater high school

14% 21% 9% 13%

I would still make the decision to go to school because what you learnthere is so important

86% 77% 90% 87%

Dont know 1% 1% 1%


Q15. d k a , a aj w a qa g g a

, k a a w a qa g a ?

Have the opportunity to go 34% 25% 39% 34%

Do not have the opportunity to go 62% 70% 57% 64%

Dont know 3% 4% 3% 2%

Q16. i , k a a w gaa

g, g k w a, j g a ?

Most people are really impressed 33% 42% 25% 37%

Something they look down at 3% 2% 4% 2%

Justsomethingroutineandexpected 62% 52% 69% 58%

Dont know 2% 3% 2% 2%

Q17. W wg a ? a ga

My degree is all I need 29% 23% 42% 9%

I need another degree besides the one I have 61% 66% 46% 89%

I dont even need my degree 9% 10% 12% 1%

Dont know 1% * * 1%

Q18. h a a a a a w a g a

a g . pa w a g .

i w a i a j g

Very close 32% 26% 35% 31%

Somewhat close 36% 32% 34% 46%

Not too close 11% 13% 10% 11%

Not close at all 21% 28% 20% 13%

Dont know

ull survey results



28/52

Total

Didnot

completea

PSEProgram

CompletedPSE

InProgress

=614%

=200%

=281%

=133%

i w a a awa a g a

Very close 51% 43% 57% 48%


Not too close 9% 13% 8% 7%


Dont know

i w a i a kw wa i wa a g

Very close 22% 25% 20% 19%Somewhat close 23% 29% 23% 15%

Not too close 14% 12% 15% 14%


Dont know * *

i w a a i wa a q

Very close 50% 42% 49% 62%


Not too close 10% 12% 9% 10%


Dont know * *

i w a w gg

Very close 9% 10% 9% 9%


Not too close 17% 13% 17% 22%


Dont know * *

i wa a a w, a g a

Very close 31% 23% 33% 34%


Not too close 13% 15% 13% 10%


Dont know * * 1%

ull survey results



29/52

Total

Didnot

completea

PSEProgram

CompletedPSE

InProgress

=614%

=200%

=281%

=133%

Q19. i a a , a k a a. t a, w

wa a? Wa a? [bas: ths wh a mr ha yp f sch afr hh sch.]

Tradeorvocationalschoolorprogram 9% 12% 7% 10%

Twoyearorcommunitycollege(associatesdegree) 53% 56% 52% 53%

Four-year college (Bachelor o Arts or Science degree) 38% 32% 41% 36%

Dont know * *

Q20. Wa a a a ?

Public 79% 90% 74% 78%Private 20% 9% 26% 21%

Dont know 1% 1% * 2%


Q22. W w: [bas: ths wh wa a yar r mr sch.]

It would have been easier or me overall to have startedclasses immediately ater high school

50% 59% 30% 57%

Waiting beore starting classes was the right choiceI would not have been ready or it

49% 40% 70% 43%

Dont know 1% 1%


Q24. t a a a g a k k. s kg a

w a g , a a wg a a w .

t a aa a

Major reason 46% 33% 54% 43%

Minor reason 27% 29% 27% 27%

Not a reason at all 27% 38% 19% 30%

Dont know * * *

ra a

Major reason 26% 25% 29% 21%

Minor reason 32% 22% 33% 42%


Dont know * 1%

i wa a w i wk

Major reason 53% 66% 45% 51%

Minor reason 20% 12% 22% 24%


Dont know

ull survey results



30/52

Total

Didnot

completea

PSEProgram

CompletedPSE

InProgress

=614%

=200%

=281%

=133%

t a w aa

Major reason 57% 57% 56% 60%

Minor reason 23% 23% 23% 24%


Dont know

i az aj a j i wa

Major reason 54% 54% 54% 54%

Minor reason 22% 22% 23% 22%Not a reason at all 23% 24% 23% 24%

Dont know * *

i a a a a wk w

Major reason 44% 59% 36% 45%

Minor reason 23% 17% 26% 22%


Dont know * *

i wa awa

Major reason 19% 11% 22% 25%

Minor reason 27% 18% 35% 19%


Dont know

i wa a i w a a gg a

Major reason 41% 43% 39% 41%

Minor reason 30% 24% 33% 32%


Dont know

t a a aa a

Major reason 38% 41% 38% 32%

Minor reason 18% 13% 21% 17%


Dont know

ull survey results



31/52

Total

Didnot

completea

PSEProgram

CompletedPSE

InProgress

=614%

=200%

=281%

=133%

t a a ga -aa ga a wa a

Major reason 15% 13% 18% 13%

Minor reason 17% 12% 18% 20%


Dont know * *


Major reason 56% 54% 57% 55%

Minor reason 25% 23% 27% 21%Not a reason at all 20% 23% 16% 24%

Dont know

Q23r. i w w, wa w a a a ?[Rcr vram rsps]

Convenient/closetohome/work 25% 32% 22% 26%

Oered the major/program I want 14% 14% 14% 13%

Good/quality education/teachers/reputation 10% 5% 11% 12%

Liked it/elt right or me/atmosphere 10% 6% 15% 6%

Location 9% 10% 7% 11%

Aordable 8% 10% 6% 9%Family members/riends attend(ed)/amily connection/parents choice 5% 4% 7% 1%

Tobettermyself/myjobopportunities 5% 7% 3% 7%

Have a scholarship/ree ride 4% 3% 6% 3%

Where I was accepted/only option 4% 5% 1% 7%

Other 3% 3% 2% 2%

As a stepping-stone to a our-year/another college 2% 3% 3%

Good sports program/to play a sport 2% 2% 3%

Q25. s kg a a a , a a , a a a.

i wa w a g i a

A lot 14% 16% 12% 14%

A little 34% 30% 38% 32%

Not at all 52% 54% 50% 54%

Dont know

ull survey results



32/52

Total

Didnot

completea

PSEProgram

CompletedPSE

InProgress

=614%

=200%

=281%

=133%

i a a a wg g a

A lot 11% 12% 11% 9%

A little 24% 24% 27% 18%

Not at all 64% 63% 61% 73%

Dont know

i a awa

A lot 6% 8% 4% 5%

A little 15% 10% 18% 13%Not at all 79% 80% 78% 82%

Dont know * *

i a wk a w, a wa g

A lot 29% 35% 26% 27%

A little 28% 28% 26% 32%

Not at all 43% 37% 48% 41%

Dont know

i azg a g g

A lot 18% 23% 14% 20%

A little 30% 24% 36% 24%

Not at all 52% 53% 51% 56%

Dont know * *

i a a a a

A lot 12% 18% 9% 12%

A little 27% 25% 29% 24%

Not at all 61% 57% 61% 64%

Dont know

i wa ag

A lot 15% 13% 17% 14%

A little 28% 16% 33% 32%

Not at all 57% 71% 50% 54%

Dont know

ull survey results



33/52

Total

Didnot

completea

PSEProgram

CompletedPSE

InProgress

=614%

=200%

=281%

=133%

t k a a aa

A lot 28% 36% 23% 30%

A little 31% 24% 35% 33%

Not at all 41% 40% 42% 37%

Dont know

Q26. s kg a a , ak a a ?

Yes 16% 20% 10% 25%

No 83% 78% 90% 75%Didnt go to college/was in a vocational/technical school or program(VOL)

* *

Dont know 1% 1% *

Q27. tkg a a w a g , w w a a wg:

t a g wa a ak

Excellent 25% 28% 23% 25%

Good 34% 28% 39% 33%

Fair 26% 27% 26% 25%

Poor 13% 14% 10% 16%

Dont know 1% 1% 2% 1%t g a w g

Excellent 35% 34% 34% 39%

Good 45% 44% 47% 42%

Fair 18% 19% 18% 17%

Poor 2% 3% 2% 2%

Dont know * *

t aa a a g a w g a a a

Excellent 19% 21% 20% 14%

Good 31% 30% 32% 31%

Fair 25% 23% 24% 30%

Poor 15% 17% 12% 18%

Dont know 7% 6% 9% 5%

ull survey results



34/52

Total

Didnot

completea

PSEProgram

CompletedPSE

InProgress

=614%

=200%

=281%

=133%

t a a ag g wk [bas: ths wh hav ak ay rma crss.]

Excellent 40% 45% 32% 43%

Good 35% 31% 48% 29%

Fair 17% 19% 12% 18%

Poor 8% 5% 8% 10%

Dont know

Q28. i wa a , w a a , w a

a ?

Same school 57% 53% 62% 51%

Dierent school 41% 44% 37% 46%

Dont know 2% 3% 1% 3%

[Note: Tere is no Q29 or Q30.]

Q31. d a a wg a a g ?

A a aa a

Yes 45% 31% 56% 39%

No 54% 69% 43% 61%

Dont know * *

la

Yes 45% 31% 49% 54%

No 55% 69% 51% 46%

Dont know

pa a

Yes 55% 42% 63% 53%

No 45% 58% 37% 47%

Dont know

Q32. d a a a a , , a , a

? [bas: ths whs pars r hr ravs hp pay fr sch.]

All 35% 41% 36% 28%Some tuition 35% 29% 33% 47%

Only a little 14% 18% 12% 13%

Some other costs o school but not or tuition 15% 11% 18% 12%

Dont know 1% 1%

ull survey results



35/52

Total

Didnot

completea

PSEProgram

CompletedPSE

InProgress

=614%

=200%

=281%

=133%

Q32b. A ag a, a a w w a ?[bas: ths wh ha as hp pay fr sch.]

I am paying o the loans 86% 91% 82% 92%

My parents are paying them o 7% 6% 10%

Both/neither (VOL) 6% 2% 6% 8%

Q33. tkg a a a k , w a [bas: ths wh ha as hp payfr sch, wh hav cmp hr prram a ar prsay rsps fr pay ack as.]

You have a long way to go beore your loans are paid o 33% 26% 35% 40%

You think they will be paid o in the next ew years 45% 52% 42% 46%

Tey are already paid o 20% 22% 22% 8%

Tey will never be paid o (VOL) 1% * 6%

Dont know * *

Q34. tkg g a, w a a wk a a a a

a, k a a a a a wk a?

Worked hard to learn 34% 29% 36% 37%

Couldhavepaidalotmoreattentionandworkedharder 64% 70% 62% 63%

Dont know 1% 1% 2% *

Q35. W w g , awa kw w gg g a?

Yes, I always knew was going to continue on to higher education 77% 67% 83% 76%

No 23% 33% 17% 24%

Dont know * *


Q37. W w a k aa a ?

My teachers and counselors in high school probably thought I wouldgo to college right ater high school

78% 68% 83% 76%

My teachers and counselors probably thought I was not going to col-lege ater high school

21% 29% 16% 23%


Q38. hw w g ? W a a a a a

, a a w a ?

Nearly all o them studied hard 16% 9% 20% 14%

Most o them studied hard 46% 41% 48% 46%

Only a ew o them studied hard 37% 48% 30% 39%

None studied hard (VOL) 1% 2% 1%

Dont know 1% * 1% 1%

ull survey results



36/52

Total

Didnot

completea

PSEProgram

CompletedPSE

InProgress

=614%

=200%

=281%

=133%

Q39. a a i a, a k a g .

A g

Denitely applied to me 46% 38% 48% 53%

Somewhat applied to me 44% 47% 44% 39%

Did not apply to me 10% 14% 7% 8%

Dont know

A a a

Denitely applied to me 12% 11% 10% 18%Somewhat applied to me 31% 26% 35% 30%


Dont know 1% * 1%

A g a




Dont know

s w k a a g




Dont know

A a aa




Dont know

s w k g a




Dont know * 1% 1%

ull survey results



37/52

Total

Didnot

completea

PSEProgram

CompletedPSE

InProgress

=614%

=200%

=281%

=133%

A a ak




Dont know

Q40. W g w w g ?

Te counselors usually made an eort to really get to know me and

to treat me as an individual

47% 52% 44% 48%

I usually elt I was just another ace in the crowd 48% 42% 52% 48%

I never had any experiences with counselors in high school (VOL) 2% 4% 1% 3%

Dont know 1% 1% 2% 1%

Q41. hw w a g wg aa?[bas: ths wh ha xprcs wh csrs.]

hg k a k a g wa

Excellent 14% 19% 10% 17%

Good 22% 24% 23% 18%

Fair 33% 31% 37% 28%

Poor 29% 25% 29% 34%Dont know 2% 2% 2% 3%

hg wa wa g

Excellent 13% 17% 11% 15%

Good 17% 14% 20% 16%

Fair 32% 36% 33% 26%

Poor 35% 32% 34% 41%

Dont know 2% 2% 2% 2%

eag a g w aa

Excellent 18% 20% 18% 18%

Good 25% 25% 26% 21%Fair 25% 29% 26% 19%

Poor 29% 24% 29% 37%

Dont know 2% 2% 1% 5%

ull survey results



38/52

Total

Didnot

completea

PSEProgram

CompletedPSE

InProgress

=614%

=200%

=281%

=133%

hg wa a g, k aa a a ga

Excellent 15% 21% 12% 13%

Good 22% 20% 24% 20%

Fair 26% 25% 28% 23%

Poor 33% 32% 32% 38%

Dont know 4% 2% 4% 5%

Q42. nw i a gg a a a a a g a a w

a a a a g . a wg, a a g

a, a a a g w w a a.

i ak a w i a a q a wa wa g ag

High school teachers 26% 31% 25% 22%

Teachersyouhavehadafterhighschool 20% 18% 19% 24%

About the same 53% 48% 55% 53%

Dont know 1% 2% 1%

i i g i a a a a wa ag wk


Teachersyouhadafterhighschool 20% 17% 22% 22%


Dont know 3% 6% 3% 1%

t a a a k akg j a a




Dont know 1% 2% 1%

t a w wa w w ag a wa a



About the same 41% 42% 41% 38%Dont know 1% 2% * *

ull survey results



39/52

Total

Didnot

completea

PSEProgram

CompletedPSE

InProgress

=614%

=200%

=281%

=133%

Q43. tkg a a a, a wg, a a a w

ga. [bas: ths wh cmp a psscary prram.]

i js c affr h a fs

Major reason 31%

Minor reason 21%

Not a reason 46%

Dont know 2%

i g a a w g

Major reason 14%

Minor reason 31%

Not a reason 52%

Dont know 2%

i a ak

Major reason 21%

Minor reason 33%

Not a reason 44%

Dont know 2%

A g , j w i wa ag

Major reason 14%

Minor reason 21%

Not a reason 62%

Dont know 2%

i a ak a a a i k w

Major reason 16%

Minor reason 27%

Not a reason 55%

Dont know 2%

s a w

Major reason 10%

Minor reason 24%

Not a reason 63%

Dont know 2%

ull survey results



40/52

Total

Didnot

completea

PSEProgram

CompletedPSE

InProgress

=614%

=200%

=281%

=133%

i k g a

Major reason 11%

Minor reason 27%

Not a reason 60%

Dont know 2%

i g wk a ak

Major reason 54%

Minor reason 17%Not a reason 28%

Dont know 2%

i a g a

Major reason 16%

Minor reason 25%

Not a reason 57%

Dont know 3%


Q45. hw g a g gg ak a g, g g

a a? [bas: ths wh cmp a psscary prram.]A lot o thought 65%

Some thought 24%

No thought at all 9%

Dont know 2%

Q46. W a a k a , a k a g

a gg k a aa ga a ?[bas: ths wh hav hh a ack sch.]

Seriously looked at some specic schools 38%

Have not yet looked but plan on doing so soon 37%

Not going to look into a particular school or program anytime soon 23%

Already chosen/accepted into a school (VOL) 1%

Dont know 1%

ull survey results



41/52

Total

Didnot

completea

PSEProgram

CompletedPSE

InProgress

=614%

=200%

=281%

=133%

Q47. s a a a a g a ga a a k.

W a g ak w a a wa a wa?[bas: ths wh cmp a psscary prram.]

Hard to go back 36%

Pretty easy to do 57%

Dont know 5%

Q48. a wg, a a w w a g ak ?[bas: ths wh say w har ack sch.]

i w a a g

Major reason 26%

Minor reason 29%

Not a reason at all 43%

Dont know 2%

i a a

Major reason 53%

Minor reason 19%


Dont know 2%

i a wk -, a i k i wk a g a a

Major reason 56%

Minor reason 19%


Dont know 2%

i k a g w a

Major reason 7%

Minor reason 15%


Dont know 2%n a a a a

Major reason 17%

Minor reason 31%


Dont know 3%

ull survey results



42/52

Total

Didnot

completea

PSEProgram

CompletedPSE

InProgress

=614%

=200%

=281%

=133%

n a a a ga a i a a

Major reason 14%

Minor reason 18%


Dont know 2%


Q50. W a a g j a, wa g a g q ? [bas: ths wh cmp a psscary prram aar crr mpys.]

Chosecurrentjobmorebychance 61%

Hoping to do or quite some time 37%

Dont know 1%


Q52. W a a j a gw a , g a, ?[bas: ths wh cmp a psscary prram wh ar crry mpy.]

Teres plenty o room or you to grow and move up 50%

Teres room to move up but only i you get more education 23%

Teres not much room to move up 28%Q53. a wg, a w k w w

a a a a g gg a g g.

ha g g a

A lot 71% 76% 66% 80%

A little 22% 16% 28% 15%

Not much 3% 2% 3% 2%

Not at all 3% 3% 4% 1%

Dont know 1% 3% 2%

t ak w a w kw a a g a j-ag ga aak a g

A lot 72% 68% 71% 80%

A little 23% 23% 25% 18%

Not much 1% 2% 1% *

Not at all 2% 4% 2% 1%

Dont know 1% 3% *

ull survey results



43/52

Total

Didnot

completea

PSEProgram

CompletedPSE

InProgress

=614%

=200%

=281%

=133%

c ag g 25

A lot 82% 78% 83% 84%

A little 13% 15% 13% 11%

Not much 1% 1% 2% 1%

Not at all 2% 3% 2% 2%


Aw a- qa aa a

A lot 76% 81% 72% 79%A little 19% 13% 23% 18%

Not much 1% 1% 1% 1%

Not at all 3% 2% 4% 2%

Dont know 1% 3% *

mak g aa a

A lot 46% 50% 43% 49%

A little 34% 32% 36% 33%

Not much 8% 7% 7% 10%

Not at all 11% 9% 14% 8%

Dont know 1% 3%

p a

A lot 53% 57% 53% 47%

A little 29% 27% 29% 32%

Not much 8% 4% 10% 10%

Not at all 8% 7% 9% 10%

Dont know 2% 5%

p a a a , akg a a

A lot 61% 69% 55% 67%

A little 25% 17% 32% 21%

Not much 5% 4% 4% 8%

Not at all 7% 7% 8% 5%

Dont know 1% 3% 1%

ull survey results



44/52

Total

Didnot

completea

PSEProgram

CompletedPSE

InProgress

=614%

=200%

=281%

=133%

p a a w

A lot 66% 76% 59% 68%

A little 23% 14% 29% 23%

Not much 2% 3% 2% 1%

Not at all 6% 5% 7% 7%

Dont know 2% 3% 2% 1%

mak a g a g a g wk

A lot 77% 73% 79% 79%A little 18% 19% 17% 21%

Not much 1% 2% 1%

Not at all 3% 4% 3% 1%

Dont know 1% 3%

o g, wk a wk w ag

A lot 74% 78% 72% 75%

A little 21% 16% 23% 21%

Not much 2% 2% * 4%

Not at all 2% 2% 3%

Dont know 1% 3% 1%

i ag a a g a a

A lot 67% 67% 64% 74%

A little 24% 21% 27% 22%

Not much 4% 4% 4% 3%

Not at all 4% 7% 3% 2%

Dont know 1% 3% *

ha ga w a a- ag, a a a wk

A lot 71% 69% 73% 72%

A little 23% 22% 24% 22%

Not much 2% 2% 1% 4%

Not at all 2% 4% 1%

Dont know 1% 4% 2%

ull survey results



45/52

Total

Didnot

completea

PSEProgram

CompletedPSE

InProgress

=614%

=200%

=281%

=133%

Q54. A a w a k a , w

k w the most? [bas: ths wh sa mr ha p Q53 w hp a .]

More government loans or college 9% 14% 6% 10%

Te opportunity to talk with advisers who know all about the dier-ent college and job-training programs so you can make a good choice

8% 6% 10% 7%

Cutthecostofattendingcollegeby25percent 35% 25% 40% 38%

Allow part-time students to qualiy or nancial aid 6% 13% 4% 5%

Make the college application process easier * 1%

Put more classes online 4% 7% 3% 1%

Provide health insurance to all students, even those takingclasses part-time

4% 5% 3% 7%

Provide day care or students that need it 6% 12% 3% 5%

Make sure students learn good study habits in high school so theyreprepared or college work

9% 3% 12% 9%

Oer more courses in the evenings, on weekends or in the summerso people can work while attending school

7% 5% 8% 8%

Improve teaching so the classes are more interesting and relevant 4% 4% 4% 3%

Have more programs or students who are interested in hands-on

learning, apprenticeships and nonclassroom work

5% 6% 5% 4%

Dont know 1% 1% 1% 1%

d10. hw a a , a, g g?A a, w a [bas: ths wh hav chr h hsh.]

Very important 82% 77% 84% 88%

Somewhat important 16% 20% 14% 12%

Not too important 1% 1%

Not at all important * 1%

Dont know 1% 1% 1%

ull survey results



46/52

Sample

%

G

ma 47%

a 53%

hg ea

s g

d 29%

ta/aa g 2%

tw-a g g 6%

-a gaa g 5%

ta/aa 6%

tw-a g 7%

-a gaa g 29%

Gaa g 8%

Gaa 9%

ea aa ( a )

ta aa 25%

tw-a g 59%

-a g 66%

a a 19%

ma 7%

t aa a a

W 54%

W a 11%

W w a 8%

W w a 17%la 9%

c

- 49%

pa- 31%

J akg a a a 19%

e a

- 61%

pa- 16%

r 1%

n 19%

(vol) hak 1%

(vol) s 2%

(vol) da 1%

chArActeristics o the sAmple



47/52


Sample

%

maa a

ma 36%

lg a a 4%

d 2%

saa 2%

Ww *

n a/sg 55%

n

Z 60%

o 21%

tw 12%

t 7%

c g aag

A w a 14%

d g g 1%

sa a a w a 14%

ow a 60%

o 11%

ta 2008

u $15,000 12%

$15,000 $25,000 12%

$25,000 $35,000 15%

$35,000 $50,000 19%

$50,000 $75,000 16%

$75,000 21%h z g [bas: ths wh crry v wh hr pars.]

ow 5%

t 18%

34%

25%

s 17%

hg [bas: ths wh crry v wh hr pars.]

sg-a 86%

o k wg 14%

tw 2%

d w-a 2%

c 1%

Aa 5%

ta (vol) 1%

o 4%



48/52

Sample

%

a aa a w g a [bas: ths wh crry v wh hr pars.]

Ga a a a 47%

ma , a a a 41%

ha gg a 10%

d kw/ 2%

pa a

A g a qa 28%

A a aa a 8%

tw-a aa g 9%

-a a g 23%

Gaa g 22%

sg (speciy) 1%

n/b a a a g a (vol) 6%

d kw/r 3%

ra/e

W 67%

bak 11%

ha 12%

Aa 6%

o 3%

d kw/r 3%

ua

m 86%

n 14%

c rgna 18%

mw 24%

s 35%

W 23%




49/52

G a a qa a, b & ma Ga a

wk a a a, . i g ,

g a a gg a

g a . i u sa, k a a

a w w a a

a . ba sa, Wag, a

ceo J rak a c-a Wa h. Ga s., b a

ma Ga a Wa b.

t a "W t W l Aa t" w k ak wg a aa g aa :

o a a b a ma Ga a sa, WA, ama Gak, ha pg a ia rw, g a a w a a;

A W, J , j a aa a ;

da yak a baaa l g a ga;

s b a aa;

da l gg a g , a da, ak,ma a r ag w w g a;

ma , c r, Gmmb, a A Gaa, ba ba, gg wk a a a a;

a Ga, da W, pg c a A rzz, pAga.g, g a a g a ;

A p Aga p r A. W , g a ga.


About the bill & melindA GAtes oundAtion

our thAnKs


50/52

1975 a a a da yak a u.s.

sa sa c va, p Aga wk a a a w a aag z a

a . o - a w z k a a w

a a a a a a a

a ak a a . o z a

aa a awa-wg W , pAga.g, a a

a ag a. tw a g W

awa a , pAga.g a

a w ag .

oicers

Daniel YankelovichChairman and Co-Founder

Lloyd MorrisettChairman,ExecutiveCommittee

co-ounder

Cyrus Vance (19172002)Former Secretary o State

honorAry members

Peter G. PetersonChairman, Peter G. Peterson Foundation

Sidney HarmanFormer Chairman/CEO,Harman International Industries, Inc.

Bobby R. InmanAdmiral, U.S. Navy (Retired)

boArd o directors

David ColemanFounder,StudentAchievementPartners,LLC

Philip HowardVice-Chairman,Covington&Burlingand Founder,CommonGood

Alice S. HuangSenior Faculty Associate,CaliforniaInstituteofTechnology

Ann KirschnerUniversity Dean,MacaulayHonorsCollegeattheCityUniversityofNewYork

Alan I. LeshnerChie Executive Ocer, American Associationor the Advancement o Science

David MathewsPresident,CharlesF.KetteringFoundation

Judith Davidson Moyers

President,PublicAairsTelevision,Inc.

Deborah WadsworthSenior Adviser, Public Agenda

Mitchel WallersteinDean,MaxwellSchoolofCitizenshipand Public Afairs, Syracuse University


About public AGendA


51/52

public AGendA6 ea 39 snw yk, ny 10016 (212) 686.6610 (212) 889.3461www.pAga.g


52/52

Documents

Their Whole Lives Ahead of Them