McKenna: My Upscale NJ District Is A Pipeline To The Ivy League. So Why Do So Many Parents Suddenly Want Alternatives To A B.A.?
McKenna: My Upscale NJ District Is a Pipeline to the Ivy League. So Why Do So Many Parents Suddenly Want Alternatives to a B.A.?
I reside in a prestigious school district that is renowned among selective-college admission officers nationwide. With SAT scores averaging above 1250, a graduation rate of 98 percent, and 95 percent of graduates attending four-year universities, my district in northern New Jersey prides itself on its excellence.
Parents also take pride in their children’s achievements. College stickers displayed on the back windows of BMWs are like trophies for successful families. It seems like everyone has a child on the fast track to success, with internships, study abroad opportunities, and academic accolades. My husband often refers to our community as "Magic Town" because every child appears to be flawless.
However, during a recent evening in the aging administrative building, the guidance counselors and school administrators leading a presentation on "Alternative Paths to College" were taken aback by the number of parents in attendance. In response, they hurriedly made extra copies of the handouts.
The large audience that night indicated that not every parent in "Magic Town" is solely focused on sending their child to an Ivy League institution. In fact, some parents are desperately searching for information about alternative options for their nontraditional learners or for those who have already attempted a four-year degree but didn’t complete it.
After a brief presentation, administrators began sharing stories about their own children. One counselor mentioned that his son, who disliked traditional schooling, was studying automotive repair at a technical high school. Another counselor revealed that her daughter decided to attend a local community college following a challenging year at a four-year university. In hushed tones, they whispered, "College isn’t the right path for everyone."
Since that presentation, I have noticed a growing number of parents echoing the same sentiment. While grocery shopping, I ran into a mother who admitted that her son plans to pursue a degree in plumbing or electronics and defensively claimed that he would earn more money than anyone else. At the gym, the person on the stationary bike next to mine shared that her daughter expressed a desire to avoid a job that involves sitting behind a computer all day. Families are concerned about student debt and whether a Bachelor’s degree will actually qualify their child for employment opportunities.
Parents invest significant resources to live in this town, and understandably so. Numerous studies have indicated that students in wealthier communities tend to have higher test scores and are more likely to attend college compared to their less privileged peers. Every parent here dreams of their child attending a prestigious university. So, why is there an increasingly vocal interest in exploring other options?
The reason lies in the fact that while 95 percent of students in our town initially pursue higher education after graduating, a significant portion return home after just one year.
David Kirp, author of the upcoming book "The College Dropout Scandal," shared with me that less than half of middle-class students successfully earn a Bachelor’s degree within eight years. Even students from affluent backgrounds struggle to complete their studies, with only 63 percent graduating within the same timeframe.
As much as parents aspire to see their children earn that coveted Harvard bumper sticker, it is evident that this path is not suitable for everyone. Naturally, students with special needs, who make up 14 percent of all public school students (approximately 7 million), face significant challenges when it comes to college. Many may never have the opportunity to attend, while others attempt it but are unable to finish. However, struggling in college is not limited to students with disabilities.
Students encounter various difficulties for a multitude of reasons. College has always posed challenges, especially when it comes to adjusting to newfound independence and the allure of social gatherings. Furthermore, some students lack the necessary soft skills required for college-level coursework. Nevertheless, there are indications that present-day students face additional obstacles compared to the past. Mental health issues on college campuses have skyrocketed. Additionally, the rise of low-cost, adjunct professors at many universities means fewer permanent staff members available to support students.
For parents who have financed a wasted year at college through loans, savings, and personal sacrifices, there is a certain level of skepticism and a desperate need for a backup plan.
Meanwhile, students are hearing success stories of individuals securing high-paying positions in the computer industry without the need for a bachelor’s degree.
I attended that evening meeting as part of my research into post-high school options for my younger son. He has a form of high-functioning autism that hinders his ability to navigate the social aspects of dormitory life and would struggle with the liberal arts requirements at a traditional four-year university. However, his teachers have informed me that he excels in computer programming and digital art, so I have been delving into books and websites that outline alternative educational pathways leading to careers in those fields.
According to sources like "A New U: Faster + Cheaper Alternatives to College," tech companies prioritize hiring individuals based on their skills, regardless of whether they acquired those skills through a community college, a computer boot camp, or a traditional four-year university. Programming is now being compared to blue-collar work; mastering freshman English is no longer a prerequisite to becoming an exceptional coder.
The skepticism surrounding the computer sector’s Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree is potentially influencing the middle-class suburbs at a opportune moment. The rebellious mindset of the tech industry, combined with various pressing issues such as students being sent home from colleges, the increasing costs of higher education, concerns about job prospects, and the unique needs of individuals with learning differences, is gradually prompting individuals to raise questions and attend meetings.
If parents in towns like mine, which serve as pathways to the country’s most prestigious colleges, are starting to doubt the established norm and discreetly seek alternative options, the higher education industry may be at risk of losing its most loyal consumers. This is a noteworthy phenomenon; these parents possess the financial resources necessary to drive significant change.
Laura McKenna, Ph.D., is an education writer based in New Jersey, boasting more than three decades of experience in the field of education. She has worked as a teacher, researcher, professor, and parent.
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