General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: What needs to happen to heal DU's unnecessary "social issues vs. economic issues" divide? [View all]JustAnotherGen
(38,082 posts)Is that it ignores that many of our urban and rural 'kids' didn't have the same QUALITY of education that the posh kids have.
I live in the 6th wealthiest county in America. A large part of my local property taxes goes towards education - and I gladly pay it. I'm certain our weakest students could succeed at the University level with tutoring and extra help - because if they came all the way through from primary school - they received a solid foundation.
It's Fall 2017 - and those Sophomores today are ready to be college Freshman.
Down the road in Camden and Newark - I'm not certain they are - because from grade school on - those kids' educational needs were neglected by we the people. I do know several young women though - that have been able to a make a nice living doing metal restoration work, and custom design with a UNESCO certified restoration specialist and juried artist who does commercial work. We are talking the first one coming through and making 80K at year at 25. It's not that she wasn't bright - she was. There was just shit in the hands for her in the early 1990's when she was in grade school. She didn't get the right foundation.
So - someone reached out and helped her 'start where she was at'.
We can't neglect our trades. We need to throw money into that beginning Fall 2017 - so those kids graduating can attend trade schools that will enable them to make solid salaries, so they can pay taxes, so we can grow the economy.
Waiting another 4 years for their peers to graduate is waiting too long. And truthfully their peers may turn out to be brilliant CPAs who don't know a wrench from an anvil and they are going to NEED them for - like - the most basic of things. So for the kids who were neglected by we the people - we need to start where they are at.