Sensing a Shift in Attitude
First off, sorry for the long delay in postings. Along with serving Nationa TYCA, I also have a full course / advising / committee load. I needed to handle the start of the new Spring Quarter and it put me a bit behind.
I was just reaidng an article in Inside Education called "Facing Down the Snob Factor" and I was not surprised by the tone of the article. There are transfer institutions which under value transfer students from community colleges - not news to any of us. What was fascinating, however, was the spririted defense of students who begin at community colleges, and the professors who choose to work in community colleges. It sure is worth a look. After reading the article, take a look below at the discussion - and please do join in.
I take this as a hopeful sign that we may be approaching the point where the knee-jerk reaction to community college students is not "lesser." Numerous people pointed out how community college students transfer students often do as well, if not better, than students who begin their programs at four year school. They also pointed out all the reasons students choose community colleges programs - cost, closeness to home and family, ability to work and attend school, and most importantly, that the courses are valuable and rigorous.
I was just reaidng an article in Inside Education called "Facing Down the Snob Factor" and I was not surprised by the tone of the article. There are transfer institutions which under value transfer students from community colleges - not news to any of us. What was fascinating, however, was the spririted defense of students who begin at community colleges, and the professors who choose to work in community colleges. It sure is worth a look. After reading the article, take a look below at the discussion - and please do join in.
I take this as a hopeful sign that we may be approaching the point where the knee-jerk reaction to community college students is not "lesser." Numerous people pointed out how community college students transfer students often do as well, if not better, than students who begin their programs at four year school. They also pointed out all the reasons students choose community colleges programs - cost, closeness to home and family, ability to work and attend school, and most importantly, that the courses are valuable and rigorous.
posted by sharon | 5/07/2006 10:16:00 AM
2 Comments:
I read the article as well and was amazed that the snob factor still exists!
It does make me wonder at the lack of information. Surely the folks with that attitude have never really had significant contact with a community college. At least, that is my hope. On the other hand, I think the snob factor will always be with us to some extent when there are rankings and the idea that some students are "better" than others because of the college or university they attend, not their abilities as individuals.
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