My heart is heavy and I am sad. I found out last night that we lost another TRiO program in our state. Logically, I shouldn't be as sad as I am but...I am. So much sorrow, shock, and disappointment...
I think about the 1,200 students who may never step foot on a college campus. Students whose life choices may forever be altered because they didn't have the opportunity to hear "You can go to college. I'll help you get there." Students who may never have an opportunity to attend a college prep workshop, or receive information about financial aid, or receive instruction on the college application process.
1,200 students lost.
I think about the individuals that work in this program, individuals who have dedicated their lives to advocating for opportunity and education for all. Some of the most dedicated and passionate people I know. People who committed themselves to making a difference that went beyond simply fulfilling a job requirement...they put their whole heart into their program and their students. I cry when I think about how painful it must be to have something you care about so deeply ripped away from you.
I think about the leadership and guidance these individuals have contributed on a state and regional level. How much time and energy they put into developing and advancing our organizations. The leadership they provided... and the void that their departure will leave behind.
But mainly I am thinking about my friends. These are people who have always offered support, guidance, and direction. People who have helped me grow and inspired me to do better. People that I care about. And it kills me to know they are hurting.
This program was cut due to the current political climate and budget crises. Now more than ever it is important for anyone reading this to contact their U.S. legislators and President Obama's office and tell them it's important to increase funding for these programs. Here's why we need TRiO:
1. The federal TRiO programs provide educational opportunity services to over 841,000 students nation wide.
2. The educational choices made today impact the next generation. It's difficult to lead your children down a road you haven't walked yourself... only 20% of bachelor degree recipients had parents with an educational level of high school diploma or less. Most people that didn't go to college want to get their children there, they just don't know how. Upward Bound prepares these high school students and veterans for success in college.
3. Poor people are less likely to go to college. The enrollment rate for a low-income student is 29% lower than that of students above the low-income level. Without a college degree occupational choices are limited and earnings are less. Education becomes less of a priority when you're faced with having to sale plasma in order to pay rent.
4. To go to college you have to know where to find the money. 66% of all undergraduates receive some type of financial aid. Educational Talent Search prepares and assists 6th graders and up with applying for financial aid and college admission and Educational Opportunity Centers provide similar services to adults.
5. Simply getting them to college is not enough, we have to work to keep them there. According to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the 2009 persistence rate of first-time freshmen in Oklahoma was only 65.7%. Student Support Services (that's me!) helps low-income, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities stay in school and earn a bachelors degree.
6. In order to change society we must break racial barriers - we can do this through education. And we desperately need to - only 9.8% of conferred bachelors degrees were awarded to African Americans. There is even less diversity on the graduate level - only 7.4% of masters degrees were awarded to this population. The percentages are lower for every other ethnic group with the exception of Caucasian. Lower for every other ethnic group - let that sink in.
7. While we boast about increases of enrollment for minority populations, take a look at the figures. Yes, it's an increase but it's an embarrassingly small one...from 1976 to 2009 the college enrollment rate for African Americans has increased from 9% to 14%, for Hispanic 3% to 12%, for Asian/Pacific Islander from 2% to 7%. That's it? Over 33 years and that's it?
8. To be competitive in a global market we will have to expand and strengthen the math of science skills of our future leaders. In 2004 only 13.7% of students entered college in a STEM field. Upward Bound Math/Science prepares high school students for college programs that lead to careers in math and science.
9. A person with bachelor degree is less likely to live in poverty or be incarcerated and is more likely to experience financial security and job satisfaction.
10. TRiO works!
*Unless otherwise noted, this information was obtained from the National Center For Education Statistics and represents the national outlook for the 2008-2009 academic year.
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