| Researching career education uncovered the following | | | | Third, these same young people lack self-control, |
| shocking statistic: The average college student takes | | | | self-leadership, self-discipline, self-responsibility and time |
| 5.3 years to earn a 4-year Bachelor's degree. Other | | | | management. These young adults have been |
| data included that college retention is mediocre at best | | | | conditioned to have someone else assume all |
| with a national average around 50%. In Indiana, | | | | responsibilities. Unfortunately, another recent report |
| research reveals that for every 100 ninth grade | | | | revealed that high school counselors were not candid |
| students, only 21 will graduate with a bachelor's degree | | | | in their discussions with students about the students' |
| within 6 years. | | | | college preparation or lack thereof. An interesting side |
| How Much More for the 6-Year Plan? | | | | note is that these interpersonal skills or what some call |
| Depending upon the state and the type of | | | | job-readiness skills are the same desirable skills that |
| post-secondary institution such as private or state, the | | | | employers are seeking and cannot find in college |
| 6 year plan can increase college costs anywhere | | | | graduates. |
| from $5,000 to $70,000 using data from the U.S. | | | | What Can You as a Parent Do? |
| Department of Education for the 2002-03 academic | | | | Recognize that the current solutions will not work as |
| year. Avoiding the 6-year plan really makes sense, as | | | | most of these are externally driven. Common sense |
| these costs do not include books, additional fees, and | | | | tells us that we can't change anyone. Seek an |
| any other supplemental expenses. | | | | inside-out solution where your daughter or son |
| Why Has This Happened? | | | | internalizes the necessary positive attitudes and |
| There are several key reasons for this national and | | | | inter-personal skills through a proven goal achievement |
| state trend. First, many young people do not know | | | | action plan. By working with the necessary positive |
| what their desired major is. With a curriculum that is a | | | | attitudes, integrating new skills and knowledge such as |
| mile wide and an inch deep, young people may not | | | | goal achievement, time management and effective |
| have the school time to adequately explore their | | | | communication, your son or daughter will begin to plan |
| interests. | | | | their 4-year college future because you have set the |
| Second, many young people do not plan for the | | | | expectations and provided the tool to turn their |
| challenges that they will be experiencing. In a survey | | | | potential into performance. |
| revealed that both college freshman and sophomores | | | | If you choose not to take action, then consider these |
| did not realize that their coursework was remedial and | | | | two questions: |
| did not count towards their degrees. Another recent | | | | Do you really wish to spend an additional $5,000 to |
| survey from the National Governors Association | | | | $70,000? |
| (NGA) confirms that young people believe that they | | | | And more importantly, |
| are unprepared for the demands of college and work | | | | What other needs do you have for that money? |
| in the 21st Century. Ignorance is very expensive. | | | | |