Historically black colleges' plan is a disservice to students

Louisiana had a great idea.  There, I said it.  Followers of my commentaries might conclude that I think our fine state never does anything noteworthy, but this time they had a great plan.  It was a way for students not quite ready for university work to test the waters and see if by hard study they could succeed at pursuing a bachelor's degree.   In Louisiana the ACT is given to all high school seniors and is used by universities to help predict the success students would have in graduating with a degree.  Of course there are other factors to consider besides just a test score to measure success, but basically it does provide a general reference, and does provide a cautionary flag to be considered.   In our state, students earning below an 18 on the English subtest of the ACT or below 19 on the Math subtest are not permitted entrance to a four year public college or university, but instead, in a progressive move by the educators in this state, can apply for admission to a junior college and take remedial courses.  If successful they can transfer the earned credits to a four year school if they wished to further their education. 

The system was really working.  However, recent changes brought about by pressure from the historically black colleges and universities in this state, Southern University, Southern University New Orleans, and Grambling State University have scuttled this plan for their student body in an attempt to direct more money to these institutions’ operating budgets.

For 2013-2014 the average yearly tuition cost for a two-year public college in Louisiana was $3,047 compared to an average of $10,372 for a four-year public college or university.

In an apparent attempt to financially fill their coffers, the Louisiana historically black colleges and universities pressured the Louisiana Board of Regents to allow them to return to the old days and accept students with an ACT of 17 and BELOW in English and 18 and BELOW in Math, financially benefiting the schools, but a financial disaster for the students.  A student receiving a 17 on the ACT English section indicates that 6 out of 10 students have better English skills than that particular student; a skill factored into college success.  A two point drop in score to 15 indicates more than 7 out of ten students have better skills.   Predictions for math skills are similar.

Under the revised standards, many of these students may not be eligible for TOPS and they will be forced to seek student loans burdening them with costs totaling more than THREE times the amount of a community college fee.   Those that are eligible for TOPS will cost the taxpayers the additional monies. 

Since, initially, successful graduation is stacked against these students, it seems unconscionable that these historically black public institutions would enact such a disservice to their students.  But then again the students’ success in college seems of little concern to these institutions because the real benefit for them comes from their ability to accept more students thereby increasing the income generated by tuition and college fees no matter what the outcome for the students. 

I hope that the students served by these institution see this revised plan for what it really is.  It’s not out of concern for them to receive a college degree, because a much more beneficial system was already in place.