Students from low-income families overwhelmingly want to go to college but lack the academic preparedness to succeed there, according to a new report from ACT.
All but 4 percent of low-income high school graduates had a desire to go to college, with 84 percent saying they aspire to earn a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Despite aspirations to complete college degrees, only one in 10 low-income students met college readiness benchmarks in all four major subjects set by the ACT: English, reading, math and science. Five in 10 were unable to meet any of the college readiness benchmarks.
Low-income students are defined as students coming from families earning $36,000 or less per year, roughly the poorest one out of four test-takers.
The gap between collegiate aspirations and readiness in low-income students could be driving the growth of student debt in the United States. Students that don’t finish college are likely to have the most debt. Many students who aren’t ready for college but aspire to attend likely end up attending anyway. Some of those students make it through and graduate, but many more fail to complete their degrees.
The report recommended that schools expand college readiness programs to middle grades and ensure students enroll in high school courses that will prepare them academically for college. It even went as far as to say, “School and system leaders should strongly consider making the core curriculum the default option for all students.”
ACT is a strong supporter of the Common Core educational standards. It specified in the report that it supports “the purpose and intent” of Common Core, but doesn’t believe Common Core is a cure-all for educational success.
