Covering the business of education and training

I remember growing up near a college. My brother and I used to walk to the campus, hang out the 'coach house' near the big kids, buy cartons of chocolate milk for a nickel and dream of going to college. Well, I dreamed...my brother didn't.

I graduated from that college about 15 some years later. My brother didn't.

Some states make it easier for young people and working adults to go to college. Some states apparently don't really care.

The Measuring Up 2006: National Report Card on Higher Education gives grades to the states:

The Top Ten +1:

California, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota (A),

If you want to go to school, these states are ready for you. Interestingly enough, New Mexico got an F in preparing students to go. "You can go but you are NOT ready."

Massachusetts got an A in being accessible AND preparing.

The bottom four:

4. Mississippi - (D) but then the state also got an F in preparing them to go.

3 - 1 South Carolina, Idaho, and Georgia (D+)

At least one fifth of the states seem to have done their part to make schools accessible to students who want to go...

What do you think?

Measuring Up 2006: The Nation's Report Card on Higher Education gives grades to each state in various categories:

1. Preparation - how well the state prepares its high schoolers to go to and finish college

2. Participation - how accessible are college level courses and training to young people and working-age adults

3. Completion - how successful are students at finishing what they start

4. Affordability - how feasible is it for families and individuals to pay for schooling

5. Benefits - how does this education help the individual make a better contribution to their state