Two years of Community College Free What is the American dream? The American dream is different for everyone but for most, the American dream consists of striving for success. Success is accomplished through varies ways; whether it’s finally leaving the nest or starting your own family. Or it can also be to create a small business and watch it blossom. For many people it is to continue college and get a degree. The minimum wage plus the cost of living play as an obstacle for many individuals trying to continue school. So how does our great nation America, move past this obstacle? By providing everyone a chance for education. The first two years of Community College should be free. At community colleges, a certificate or Associates can be completed. By providing more education many more Americans would be able grow and learn new highly skills. Often when people have to decide to continue education or to provide for themselves/families, the option to get an education is clearly set aside. Plus, if it’s already hard to make ends meet then your left to take out loans. This just adds more debt to the working student. According to the institute for College Access and Success “since 2004, the average debt held by graduating college students has grown at double the inflation rate to $28,950” (Greenbalt). To be in debt an additional twenty-eight thousand dollars, it does put a strain on the working class. For someone on minimum wage that is more than their annual salary. It’s even more heartbreaking when you take into consideration the salary of part time working students. It’s time to make a change.
A nationwide change that will help America and all the hard working Americans move forward. The National Conference of State Ligatures states that “while a high school degree used to be adequate for many jobs, research estimates that by 2020 nearly 70 percent of all jobs will require some kind of post-secondary training, certificate, or degree” (“Free”). The reality is that the demand for people with Associates degrees is in much need. Of course implementing this would require qualifications. Twelve states have already passed specific bills that offer this program. After all of the federal aid and grants the average students are left to pay eight thousand dollars annually for community college tuition. Yes, federal aid does help many low income and middle class students to attend college. Yes, tuition is also not the main reason of the lack of student success. Advocates that are against free tuition do bring important points by stating that “free community college could lead students to “undermatch,” which would lower their odds of completing a degree. A free public option would stifle innovation and competition” (Goldrick-Rab and Kelly). This statement is understandable and makes sense. But it’s easy to put out specific rules like the bills in the current states have done to ensure this doesn’t happen. Just like federal aid requires passing grades, this program can set standards for grades and credits needed to get this program. That way students who are require to attend certain credit hours still have to learn to be competitive by juggling school and work.
In Massachusetts a study was conducted that offered high achieving students a scholarship that allowed them to attend tuition free at a in state public college. The study concluded that “the scholarship led recipients to choose less-selective colleges than they would have, and that they graduated at lower rates than peers who attended better schools” (Goldrick Rab and Kelly). But advocates agree that this research counterbalances for students receiving free tuition for people who have not gone to college before. With many students having to go straight to work after high school graduation this is a great thing to keep in mind for their future success. Black Lives Matters have been seen all over social media and the news. One more topic that keeps coming up is equality. There are pictures with captions saying White Coats for Black lives. The truth is that minorities haven’t really gotten a fair shot throughout history. The United States Census Bureau states that “Still poverty hits blacks hardest. In 2013, the latest year for which federal figures are available, the poverty level for blacks was 27.2 percent and 23.5 percent for Hispanics — roughly twice the 12.3 percent rate for whites” (Kollar, Semega,and Proctor). Free community college would defiantly help out minorities that are living in poverty.
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Whenever we think of doctors it’s easy to assume blue eyes and blonde hair. It’s 2016, race should be out of the topic and we should have a diversity of brilliant doctors. In today’s world people are understanding the importance of a college education. The National Center for Educational Statistics informs that “In fall 2016, some 20.5 million students are expected to attend American colleges and universities, constituting an increase of about 5.2 million since fall 2000” (“Back”). This is really good news. Walking into the schools’ bookstore can be overwhelming. A single small Sociology book goes for sixty dollars. The big text for Biology goes for up to three hundred dollars. Students have to cover the cost of books, rent, food and tuition on top of this. If students can get some relief of this load it would help open the doors of reaching their American Dream.
