What are you preparing your students for?

Getting a well-rounded education? Passing their classes? Graduating? Going to college?

Unfortunately, a strong secondary education can only get them to the third tier. A lack of sufficient funds means college isn’t an option for a growing number of high school graduates.

According to a press release from Public Agenda, a nonprofit that conducts public opinion surveys, college costs as a share of household income have doubled for all but the most affluent Americans in the past 20 years.

The average student debt has more than doubled to $20,000 since 1997.

Attitudes about college costs have soured as well, meaning more and more struggling families don’t consider college a feasible option for their kids.

The percentage of Americans who feel costs are preventing students from attending college has risen from 47 percent in 2000 to 62 percent in 2007, says Public Agenda. Yet most people consider higher education the key to upward mobility.

Last week, students and education leaders gathered at a C-SPAN forum hosted by Public Agenda and The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education to discuss how college tuition costs are keeping young adults from reaching their potential. The group called for collaboration between the government, higher education, and families to address rising costs.

Until then, secondary schools can do their part by encouraging students to apply for scholarships or student aid as well as supplementing college prep with vocational education. Low-income students should be able to envision a bright future without a college degree.

Stacey Hollenbeck, ASBJ Spring Intern