I work for the ACE College Program. This is a partnership between I-LEAD Inc. and Harcum College to bring higher education to the intercity. I am the Site Coordinator of the Reading Site. One of my major responsibilities is reciting students to attend the two year program. As part of my initial meeting of a potential student I give them a flyer created by I-LEAD Inc., called "HIGHER EDUCATION: Cost or Investment." The flyer is basically trying to persuade students to come to college by showing them the earning potential of someone with a college degree verse someone with just a high school diploma.
Why would this be the first thing that I would give to a student entering college? Well if you understand the demographic of the students who come to our program you may better understand why helping these students understand that higher education is an investment is so important. Reading Pennsylvania is know for its railroads, however the trains are long gone and what is left is poverty. Last year the New York Times named Reading Pa the most impoverished city in America. Our high school has about a 60% drop out rate, only 7% of city residents have college degrees. Many people here don't see friends and family going to college to obtain a college degree and they just don't see the value in it.
So how do we persuade young people that after struggling to get through high school that now they have to go back to school to obtain a college degree. Show them the money! And this is exactly what this flyer on the value of higher education does. By breaking down the cost for college using a colorful pie chart and helping students understand the difference between grants and loans, out of pocket cost and educational tax credits; students can see that in the long run the salaries they will earn with a college degree will outweigh what it cost them to attend college.
This flyer is targeting lower income individuals who are working and have not earned any college level degrees. This is made apparent by the bar graph that is used to demonstrate yearly earns of those with degrees at various levels and those with just a high school diploma. Because this is the demographic of the college program and ultimately the people after receiving a degree with change the economic dynamic of the City of Reading, these are the individuals the college program wants and depends on. Giving these potential students the facts about money; a subject that catches everyone's eye, is the way to get through to them that High Education is worth the cost.
M.Turp<3
This is an interesting case - especially given your association and interest with the organization. I'm sure you've experienced when a student seems to ignore the facts you present - and you find yourself wondering what else you can do to convince them. Is future earning potential enough to do the trick? For which students do you find yourself changing tactics? Is there also a problem with how "school" is perceived? Are these attitudes valid? How do you persuade an audience who might be inclined against you - especially when you are trying to help them?
ReplyDeleteKeep thinking!