In this Book

summary
Practical solutions for improving higher education opportunities for disadvantaged students

Too many disadvantaged college students in America do not complete their coursework or receive any college credential, while others earn degrees or certificates with little labor market value. Large numbers of these students also struggle to pay for college, and some incur debts that they have difficulty repaying. The authors provide a new review of the causes of these problems and offer promising policy solutions.

The circumstances affecting disadvantaged students stem both from issues on the individual side, such as weak academic preparation and financial pressures, and from institutional failures. Low-income students disproportionately attend schools that are underfunded and have weak performance incentives, contributing to unsatisfactory outcomes for many students.

Some solutions, including better financial aid or academic supports, target individual students. Other solutions, such as stronger linkages between coursework and the labor market and more structured paths through the curriculum, are aimed at institutional reforms. All students, and particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, also need better and varied pathways both to college and directly to the job market, beginning in high school. We can improve college outcomes, but must also acknowledge that we must make hard choices and face difficult tradeoffs in the process.

While no single policy is guaranteed to greatly improve college and career outcomes, implementing a number of evidence-based policies and programs together has the potential to improve these outcomes substantially.

Table of Contents

restricted access Download Full Book
  1. Cover
  2. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Half Title, Title Page, Copyright
  2. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Contents
  2. pp. v-vi
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Acknowledgments
  2. pp. vii-viii
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 1. Introduction
  2. pp. 1-14
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Part I: Postsecondary and Labor Market Outcomes: What Are the Problems and What Causes Them?
  1. 2. Who Completes College and Why?
  2. pp. 17-55
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 3. Which College Credentials Does the Labor Market Reward?
  2. pp. 56-89
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 4. Financial Barriers to College Success
  2. pp. 90-116
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Part II: Programs and Policies to Improve Student Outcomes
  1. 5. Policies and Practices Aimed at Students
  2. pp. 119-157
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 6. Policies and Practices for Institutions
  2. pp. 158-191
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 7. Alternative Pathways to Skills and Higher Earnings
  2. pp. 192-212
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 8. Conclusion and Policy Implications
  2. pp. 213-232
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Appendix: Mapping CIP Categories with Chapter 2 Categories
  2. pp. 233-234
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. References
  2. pp. 235-262
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Index
  2. pp. 263-270
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Back Cover
  2. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
Back To Top

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Without cookies your experience may not be seamless.