Introduction
Every day we have to make choices. However, every person has to make several choices in life that are sure to determine the subsequent flow of his/her life and the realization of the vital importance of the choice is the decisive factor that can make a person perplexed because it is difficult to choose which way to go if you are standing on a crossroads and several version of the future are in front of you. One of such choices of great importance is the choice of occupation and education as they are rightly treated as the basis of future well-being and firm standing in life. Thus, the main choice that school leavers face after high school is to continue their education at a four-year college, vocational school, or some other educational establishment. And the main educational problem today is the quality and quantity of academic audience, the question that is frequently asked by specialists in the field is if everyone should have a right to study at a four-year college.
Motivation in studying
The first thing that should be considered when analyzing any event or activity of a person is the motivation that drives this person and his intentions and the results he is expecting to get. It is necessary to understand why such a great number of applicants are eager to get to college. Here, one of the key factors is, unfortunately, the motivation that cannot be called in any other way but light-minded and shallow motivation: many high school graduates are seeking “lots of fun” that can be provided by college life. Others decide to go to college because their friends choose this option.
However, there is one more factor that also contributes to the increase in the number of college students but is not reasonable: it is pressure from parents. Charles Murray states that young people “go to college because their parents are paying for it and college is what children of their social class are supposed to do after they finish high school” (Murray par.6). It often happens that parents determine the future of their children’s life and though it is evident that parents mean well by them, their influence often becomes the reason why colleges are overcrowded and young people waste their precious time on things they are not cut out for. However, just the opposite situation is presented by Crosnoe who mentions the obstacle to social mobility caused by the fact that “children from economically disadvantaged families are less likely than affluent children to graduate from high school and attend college” (Crosnoe et al. 690). Thus, the measure that may help to solve this aspect of the educational problem is to improve school leavers’ awareness of the opportunities colleges are ready and eager to provide them with. A school leaver should become more independent in his/her choice and high school should make its contribution using the establishment of additional professionally oriented courses that will create a well-informed graduate instead of a perplexed young person driven by false motivation, parental influence, and stereotypes.
Stereotypes about higher education
It is necessary to struggle against stereotypes relating to the sphere of education because they misguide applicants, their parents, and even employers. As it is stated by Murray, “the fault lies in the false premium that our culture has put on a college degree” (Murray par. 8). His assertion that a college certificate certifies nothing seems very reasonable. The college one studies at can provide information about a student’s abilities only, and the period spent there can serve as evidence of one’s perseverance but it is not enough to prove professionalism (Murray par. 8). The same idea is also repeated by Twitchell who says that “a university degree is a stamp that says – whether it’s true or not – the kid is educated, qualified, smart” (Twitchell par. 4). As soon as we overcome our stereotypes concerning education it will become possible to make the right choice concerning the future.
IQ level as the main criterion for applicants
As soon as the healthy motivation of applicants is created, it is necessary to set the main criteria for applicants. The approach suggested by Murray may seem rather radical but it is reasonable. The main criterion that should work while admitting applicants to college is the IQ level that should be 115 and higher (Murray par. 4). Such radicalism may be justified by the fact that the worst outcome of education may be the person’s assurance of his/her knowledge when in fact the knowledge is insufficient. This will create numerous problems for the person and his future employer. Those applicants who are motivated and have sufficient intellectual qualifications should be admitted to college. Maybe college studies may be beneficial for those who want to overcome their shortcomings but they should also consider the possibility to get vocational education that will develop their natural abilities instead of eradication of weak points.
Opportunities provided by vocational education
Vocational education should not be “the ugly duckling of school high school reform” (Hoachlander 22). Those school leavers, who do not have sufficient intellectual basis and skill for studying at college, as well as those who have high IQ levels but lack motivation, and those who simply feel that they are cut out for it should attend vocational schools. Strong authority of higher education in complex with stereotypes has begotten the oversupply of white-collar workers in contemporary society and lack of skillful craftsmen. Vocational schools are developing institutions as it may be shown by the example of Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School. This school as well as many other vocational schools “has recently been undergoing a rapid evolution” (Dyril 24). Due to their vocation a focus and economic sensitivity they meet the needs of industry and can provide industrial organizations with skillful employees and school leavers with professional skills and opportunities for self-realization. Thus, vocational schools should not be labeled as “an alternative path for students with limited academic success”, vocational education is not the evidence of limitedness of one’s abilities, it is an additional opportunity to fulfill oneself and find one’s way in life (Dyril 25).
Conclusion
Concluding, it may be stated that it is necessary to overcome stereotypes in all spheres of life, education among them. The person who is going to continue education after high school should assess his abilities and desires; he should be motivated and realize that vocational school, as well as college, can provide him/her with perfect opportunities and skills to become a successful and self-sufficient person. In their turn, educational establishments should create strict criteria for applicants for education not to be the way of earning money instead of supplying people with knowledge and skills.
Works Cited
Crosnoe, Robert, Mistry, Rashmita S. and Glen H. Elder, Jr. “Economic Disadvantage, Family Dynamics, and Adolescent Enrollment in Higher Education.” Journal of Marriage and Family 64.3 (2002): 690-702.
Dyril, Kurt O. “The New Face of Vocational School.” District Administration. (2008): 24-25.
Hoachlander, Gary. “Bringing Industry to the Classroom.” Educational Leadership (2008): 22-27.
Murray, Charles. “What’s Wrong with Vocational School?” Wall Street Journal. 2007. Web.
Twitchell, James B. Higher Ed, Inc. 2009. Web.