Friday, October 30, 2009
An August, Gov. Mark Parkinson urged state universities in Kansas to pursue a greater degree of excellence. What has come out of that speech and is now the topic of discussion is the idea of raising admission standards at state universities, especially the University of Kansas.
Although the standards don’t directly affect current students — we’re already in, after all — raising admission standards could boost the university’s prestige over time, something that’s beneficial to students past, present and future.
Although this was my first instinct, an experience I had over fall break caused me to wrestle with whether raising standards is actually the right thing to do.
Like my fellow columnist Tyler Holmes, whose article on education ran Oct. 22, I also visited my high school during fall break. I returned to speak with seniors about their opinions of possible changes to admission standards.
I spoke with three American government classes — two standard classes and one Advanced Placement class — and while there were supporters and opponents in all classes, an interesting contrast emerged afterward when I was comparing the classes’ opinions. A majority of AP students supported raising the admission standard, while students in regular classes largely opposed the idea.
This isn’t very surprising. After all, it’s only logical to expect that students in regular classes would be more likely to be challenged by a raise in the standards. But multiple students in the regular classes also raised the issue of affordability, theorizing that a more admission restrictive university would have less students, generate less money and this would result in an increase in the cost to attend.
Regardless of whether that claim holds any merit, it suggests an anxiety over whether higher standards would hurt students from lower income backgrounds. It’s an anxiety that shouldn’t be ignored. Yes, standards should be raised, but the Board of Regents should be extra careful not to limit the opportunities of potential students whose income status may have contributed to poor work in high school, yet they still possess the ability to do well in college.
A good compromise would be to only raise the standards at the University of Kansas while keeping other schools as they are. If the Regents elect to take a harder line and raise standards at all universities, the legislature should pursue steps to strengthen the various community colleges around the state.
Kansas lawmakers must send the message that any standards change is not meant to cut off access to higher education. While the fact that 20 percent of freshman at the University drop out in their first semester is unacceptable, so is the idea that a student’s aspirations of higher education should end just because he or she fell one point short of the necessary ACT score.
If state officials and the Regents can send that message, then raising the standards should be supported.
On a personal note: Many thanks to McPherson High School teacher Rick Reed for allowing me into his classes.
— Shorman is a McPherson sophomore in journalism.
University admission standards under review
An admissions task force formed by the Board of Regents approved recommendations ...
Future admission requirements may change
Kansas Governor and Regents discuss elevating school rankings by toughening standards.
Editorial: Raising admission standards will benefit all ...
Upping requirements would improve student retention and graduation rates.
Editorial: Students should lobby for higher standards
The University of Kansas needs to strengthen its admissions standards before it ...
Shorman: Smoking ban strips student rights
Banning sale of tobacco on campus is about more than blowing smoke.
Admissions bar to raise for Kansans
Editorial: Admissions must focus on graduation rates
Though enrollment has dropped, the Board of Regents should keep their minds ...
Task force wants pickier admissions
A group formed by Gray-Little has recommendations for increasing retention and graduation ...
Governor wants to improve school ranking
Parkinson calls for tougher admission standards.
Shorman: Creating the ideal coalition
Coalitions competing in Student Senate election offer good ideas. Now, if only ...
Holmes: Education in need of solutions
Holmes writes on high school education.
Business School goes against the grain
Despite national doubts of business majors, KU keeps its expectations high
Editorial: It's time KU tightens admission standards
Leadership change creates perfect opportunity to increase KU admission standards.
Letter to the Editor: Drinking article sends ...
The Kansan should not have run the "What Happens in Vegas" story ...
Regents outline goals for education
In efforts to remain nationally competitive, the Board of Regents outlined new ...
Regents approve tuition hike, technology fee
State now pays less for education than the University's students.
Inflation catches up with state funding
Students have to pay more for education as tuition rates rise.
Board of Regents reviews proposals
The University will see changes in degrees offered, student housing prices and ...
Taking an extra lap
What's preventing students from completing their majors on time?
Shorman: How campus protests have evolved
Although mass rallies and vocal protests are not as prominent, KU is ...
Speaker promotes hazing prevention
A prominent voice against violence, Don McPherson kicked off National Hazing Prevention ...
Policies vary for dealing with displaced students
University looks to reverse recent enrollment trend
University officials are looking for new ways to increase enrollment at KU.
Editorial: Quality schools need funding
Doherty discusses budget cuts and the importance of school funding.
Living in limbo: Javier
Javier lives everyday knowing that he is not welcome in the country ...
Editorial: Struggling economy creates need for affordable ...
Tuition compact stays put, while states make budget cuts.
Shorman: Preserving student code protects rights
KU students are fortunate to enjoy freedom that other schools don't have ...
Editorial: Credit-hour requirement should be lowered
Proposal before Board of Regents would lower needed hours to graduate.
Chancellor examines University standards
University committee will work with Gray-Little to possibly change admissions and recruitment ...
Shorman: Football win is more than just ...
Saturday's win against Georgia Tech was a turning point.
Recruiting violates University policy
National Merit Scholar recruitment down
The University of Kansas’ merit scholar recruitment has dwindled since its peak ...
Task force shares plan for retention, grad ...
Only 32 percent of students graduate in four years — 61 percent ...
Regents propose higher education program
A new plan encourages funding for education in engineering and nursing.
Editorial: New Hemenway salary too much
The Regents need to adjust former chancellor's salary or explain why it ...
Editorial: Proposed tuition freeze bests four-year compact
The tuition compact doesn't save money; rather, it helps students predict long-run ...
Shorman: Landslide may not be so representative ...
Low voter turnout for Student Senate election is reflected in KUnited's overwhelming ...
Educators question Brownback's higher education plans
The newly elected governor takes on a system that has suffered $100 ...
Regents vote for fixed tuition
The Kansas Board of Regents moved one step closer to giving students ...
Students, faculty share mixed feelings on diversity
Despite the number of minority students increasing over the past 10 years, ...
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID