What Makes a Student Desire Higher Education?

A survey of children aged 18 to 25 run by the non-partisan Public Agenda found that most students of any race think that a college education (or degree) is very important in their futures. Most students were helped along by a teacher or parent that strongly believed in the child and in the value of a college education. There were some slight differences among races as to whom was the influential factor for them personally, however, students of all races were equally adamant about the importance of college in their future plans.

The study asked some good questions and found that the shortage of high school personnel, such as high school counselors (or college counselors) were a severe inhibitor of kids' ability to go to college. In even the best funded public schools in New York City, counselors are still responsible for dozens, if not hundreds of kids. Additionally, the pressures to afford a college degree are a turn off for some low-income students. Even at colleges with small tuitions, costs of over $3,000/year make it hard for people to afford the money or the time for college.