Nancy Hoffman and Joel Vargas in “The College Gap” (Education Week 10-10-07) write that only 25% of high achieving low income high school students attend college and only a fraction graduate in four years. They propose two solutions either separately or in combination:
1. They list three essential steps: success in high school academic classes to avoid college remediation, free or reduced financial aid for college, and a web of support from school, families and communities through high school and into post secondary education.
2. A system of early college high schools (sometimes called middle colleges: search this website) for integrating high school and postsecondary education. Some 150 early college high schools have started since 2002 and have proved highly motivational for students.
Their book, Minding the Gap details how strong academics, financing and support can sustain an integrated secondary-postsecondary program. The Early College High School Initiative website coordinated by Jobs for the Future offers resources and an eight minute explanatory videotape on the web.
Empowering Students: How Georgia College Early College Changes Student Aspirations (2008) gives an update on a succesful program beginning with seventh graders. This 10 page report highlights the program’s critical features.