Should All High School Students Go to College?

Yesterday, I read this debate in the Chronicle of Higher Education between several education policy experts over the value of a college degree. This debate is a worthwhile read for all parents, whether you are committed to a college education for your children, or on the fence. The piece is accompanied by the results of a parent's survey.

One conclusion that I can make from reading the story and the survey results is that affordability, as well as perceived return on investment, are the major reservations about a college education. After reading the story and the survey results, looking into your financial situation and your son/daughter's academic prowess and intellectual curiosity, you might want to ask, and answer, these six questions as a family.

+ What interests does your son/daughter have that might be considered academic or intellectual exercises? (For example, auto mechanics, band, chorus, computers, drama, speech and debate)outside of the classroom?
+ Which of these interests has your son/daughter delved into on a weekly basis--something they cannot be without?
+ Could these interests be pursued without going to college (a traditional four-year school)?
+ Could those interests help your son/daughter qualify for a scholarship or an employment opportunity while he/she is in college?
+ What would it take, if the college cannot award grant or scholarship money, for your family to pay for each of those schools?
+ Can you step in to pay student loans after graduation if your son/daughter cannot?

What are the points behind these questions?

+ People are happiest doing the things they like to do.
+ There are hundreds of colleges for every level of academic performance, but few for every intellectual interest.
+ Parents need to help their son/daughter find their interests before college in order to get a good return on their investment in a college education.
+ There are many lucrative professions that do not require a four-year college degree, but offer alternative paths to an education.
+ If you're going to struggle to pay for college, it becomes less of a struggle when your son/daughter knows what they want to do with their degree.