San Jose State University senior Joel Bridgeman, 24, in his home in San Jose, Calif. on Tuesday, May 13, 2008. (Nhat V. Meyer/Mercury News) ( Nhat V. Meyer )
Their acceptance into San Jose State University turned Joel Bridgeman and Anwar Estelle into instant neighborhood heroes. Few from the bleak Richmond streets make it to college, with its promise of a career. It meant never having to sweep the parking lot of Burger King again.
But the reality of college hit hard. Upon arrival, they needed remedial courses. Financial aid fell through. Their families couldn't help. And hardly anyone on campus looked like them.
"It's demoralizing when you get here and you're starting off behind," Bridgeman said. "You think: Maybe I'm not as smart as I thought."
Much of the debate over the achievement gap has focused on helping African-American and Latino students graduate from high school and get into college. But the sobering reality is that the gap persists even there.
Bridgeman and Estelle prevailed and will celebrate at Saturday's graduation.
But many others won't be there. While making substantial increases in college enrollment, African-Americans and Latinos drop out at higher rates, according to the Washington D.C.-based non-profit the Education Trust.
Nationally, the graduation rate is 53 percent; in contrast, the graduation rate of what schools call "underrepresented minorities" - blacks, Latinos and American Indians - is 45 percent. The gap has narrowed slightly in recent years - in 2002, only 42 percent of such students graduated.
College dropouts can get shut out of most professional
WAIT! THERE'S MORE! CLICK HERE!
Their acceptance into San Jose State University turned Joel Bridgeman and Anwar Estelle into instant neighborhood heroes. Few from the bleak Richmond streets make it to college, with its promise of a career. It meant never having to sweep the parking lot of Burger King again.
But the reality of college hit hard. Upon arrival, they needed remedial courses. Financial aid fell through. Their families couldn't help. And hardly anyone on campus looked like them.
"It's demoralizing when you get here and you're starting off behind," Bridgeman said. "You think: Maybe I'm not as smart as I thought."
Much of the debate over the achievement gap has focused on helping African-American and Latino students graduate from high school and get into college. But the sobering reality is that the gap persists even there.
Bridgeman and Estelle prevailed and will celebrate at Saturday's graduation.
But many others won't be there. While making substantial increases in college enrollment, African-Americans and Latinos drop out at higher rates, according to the Washington D.C.-based non-profit the Education Trust.
Nationally, the graduation rate is 53 percent; in contrast, the graduation rate of what schools call "underrepresented minorities" - blacks, Latinos and American Indians - is 45 percent. The gap has narrowed slightly in recent years - in 2002, only 42 percent of such students graduated.
College dropouts can get shut out of most professional
WAIT! THERE'S MORE! CLICK HERE!
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