Graduating

This article about Cal. State Northridge in today's LA Times describes the challenges that many urban commuter students face in trying to graduate. It is almost identical to the situations that many of my students face at Cal.State Los Angeles.

"Cal State Northridge's struggle reflects the difficulties often faced by U.S. campuses that chiefly serve urban commuter students, including many who also hold down jobs and who are the first in their families to attend college. Higher education researchers say those students are more likely than others to drop out or require extra years to graduate."

Not surprising, the most important statistic is the retention rate of students between their first & second years of college. When we started at CSULA 6 years ago, the average gradution rate was 7 years - prolonged by the challenges of students working full-time or part-time while going to school, family financial pressures, inadequate preparation in high school, and overcrowded classes that weren't being offered enough to progress towards a degree in short order.