I saw statistics on income-based enrollments at public universities in Michigan. A former colleague referred to Eastern Michigan University as a “school of opportunity”. Admittedly, it was a phrase I had not seen before, but immediately liked. It is an appropriate description of schools like EMU, where less than one-percent of the students come from households making more than $630K and 43% of the students are from households making less than $65K. Statistically, Western Oregon University, where I currently teach, is not much different. Indeed, there are numerous such schools, and, frankly, schools with students in better economic circumstances are no less schools of “opportunity”. It is my opinion that all institutions of education are “schools of opportunity”. For some young people (and older, so-called “non-traditional”, students), it might just be easier than for others.
A phrase with which I am more familiar is “first-generation college student”. Certainly, it is accurate, but it sometimes gets used with a bit of a (unintentional) negative undertone. It is perceived by some that students who come from families in which no one has a college degree (i.e., “first-generation college students”) are somehow disadvantaged. True, some are. Many students, today, have to work and sacrifice more for a college education. Students are graduating with more debt than ever before. Nevertheless, they are every bit as capable as any other student. If students are perceived as “less capable”, they will be treated as such. To me, this is unfair.
If a student—any student—is treated as less than capable, he or she will slip to the level of expectation. Of course, students may need help navigating college life, but the assumption that they can’t manage without lowing the bar is unwarranted.
I had a student once complain that the math I was asking them to do was “hard”. For one thing, it was a level of math of which all college students should be capable. I explained this to the students. A comment was made that the math might not be hard for me, but I “need to bring it down to (the students’) level”. You might be able to guess my response. I told the student: “No, my job is to elevate you to the level you need to perform in the workplace.”
As educators, we cannot consider ourselves at a “school of opportunity” if we don’t maintain high standards and expectations for the students. Education is opportunity. A diploma is worthless, if it does not bring with it the opportunity for something better.
A “school of opportunity” teaches students the skills needed not only for the students’ future, but also for the future of all society. Train a student to be employed, you prepare them to get a job. Train a student to think, you prepare them to create jobs. This might demand more of educators, but it is effort well-spent.
As the school year gets underway, I commend teachers. I also encourage teachers to elevate their standards and expectations. And students? Expect to be challenge. Demand to be challenged. Seek opportunity.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!