Is Higher Ed for Everyone?

I was a little disappointed in our class discussion today about higher education. Many people were talking about how important a liberal arts education is and how it should be a priority if not a reality for every young person just out of high school. I know this means not everyone has to go to an expensive school like Richmond, and the sort of options such as community colleges and free state schools were mentioned. But not everyone has this opportunity on any level. I think we, as a class, could have been a bit more sensitive to that. Not everyone is capable of making the grades, having the drive, the money, the athletic talent, or super-supportive parents. Some kids never imagine this sort of future for themselves. Even just a community college is more than some can get too without outside help and time. Some people may need to start a full time job right after high school, there just might not be another choice. There is a world beyond the bubble of the higher edu track, and sometimes even I forget that, but I am trying not to, and asking you to do the same.

Web Du Bois says himself that higher edu is not for everyone. I know he lives in a different time and now different types of critical thinking are more relevant, but I think the "underlying theme" is still true. For some it is much more practical to bypass a traditional higher education and make some early decisions for a career and then go for it. live it. On the other end of our spectrum we do have kids who come out of high school, either by graduating or dropping out who immediately have to support themselves. Sometimes they have been kicked out of the house, they may be young mothers, or even get a solid job opportunity which they feel compelled to take advantage of. These kids don't have time to spend in a community college even, they need the skills and the money now.

I just don't think we are looking equally enough at both sides of the situation. Of course it would be nice for everyone to be able to experience higher education, but that is in no way near reality. Just keep that in mind.