Looking beyond the education demographics

I've been exposed to volumes of research through Growth & Justice's work on a smart investment strategy to boost the post-secondary graduation rate for Minnesota students — especially students of color. I know intellectually why it's vital to the state. As LearnmoreMN summarizes the demographic trends:

[A] dwindling number of high school graduates... a greater proportion of graduates from low-income families and communities of color who traditionally are less likely to pursue post-high school options... Baby Boomers who are retiring... inadequate numbers of college-educated people to meet state job needs.

But to muster the will to solve big problems, human beings need empathy as well as statistics.

Earlier this month, I spent some time reviewing applications to The Page Education Foundation, which offers scholarships for post-secondary study to students of color. This year, Page received about 1,000 applications and will award 600 grants.

While some of these kids are stars from intact families who should have no trouble finding the financial assistance they need, many others are on the margin, with middling grades, low test scores and little family support. You cannot read their applications and remain unmoved by the challenges they face or their desire to succeed.

A young woman from Kenya lives with her unemployed aunt because both parents are dead. She hopes to attend college, but only has been in the U.S. for a few years and her academic preparation is suspect. Another student made it here with his family from a Thai refugee camp. One student's family of eight works a small farming operation and has an income of $17,000. It's not unusual to see kids who are working to help support the family instead of saving for college. Most years, I see an applicant who is responsible for the care of their siblings. One year, I had an applicant whose address was a church  shelter.

And these are the kids who haven't given up or totally fallen through the cracks.

On Thursday, May 22nd, some Page Scholars will be among 100 St. Paul high school seniors being honored for their hard work in earning a local college scholarship. The event is at Rice Park over the lunch hour. It might be nice to show your support there, but the real place we need to show up is in adequately funding the education pipeline that prepares students for this moment.

As a think tank, we're supposed to be research-based, not anecdote-based, and we look for systemic cause and effect, not heartwarming individual outcomes. But what do demographics tell you if you never see the people?

— Charlie Quimby