college

http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200511/college-and-meritocracy/
"Does Meritocracy Work?"
by Ross Douthat
November 2005
The Atlantic



http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200806/college/
"In the Basement of the Ivory Tower"
by Professor X
June 2008
The Atlantic


It is interesting to read these articles in conjunction. The first argues that college in the U.S. is increadingly socioeconomically stratified, and outlines some strategies for enrolling more lower-income students. The second article argues that the goal of universal college education is a bad one, as there are people out there who are just not cut out to do the work of even the most basic college courses (e.g. English 101).


It is possible to take the second article as an argument against the first - 'we shouldn't be educating all these poor people because they just aren't ready for it.' This would be wrong. Does lower socioeconomic status really correlate with an inability to do the work? (Or, in other words: do our current social classes closely reflect merit?) Rather, the lesson should be - I think - that if we aim to enroll more lower-income students, we should ensure that they are ready to do the work. This should be done through comprehensive education policy, starting in elementary school (or sooner?) and continuing on through high school (this, of course, needs to be part of a wider social program - just improving schools won't necessarily change students).


Another lesson (from both articles) might be that the real problem is that the college diploma is or is seen as a total passport to success. Maybe we should focus on making alternative paths - such as vocational schools and other programs - not looked down upon.