College degree more important, but less accessible, to many

A college education in U.S. society is far more crucial but less accessible than it was 50 years ago, members of the College Board, the group that administers the nation's primary college-admission test, the SAT, were told Sunday.

Patrick Callan, president of the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, made the observation at the College Board's 1999 Western Regional conference, meeting at the Alexis Park resort through Tuesday. The center analyzes the nation's need for accessible and affordable higher education.

As keynote speaker for Sunday's full session, Callan stressed the need for schools and higher education to commit to enhancing and preserving opportunities for college-bound students.

"As it becomes more important in the economy, it is moving out of the reach of many," Callan said, adding that the growing gap between income levels directly affects the gap in opportunity for education.

The College Board is a national membership association of schools, colleges and educational organizations that focuses on providing college opportunities. In addition to administering the Scholastic Aptitude Test, it publishes guides to colleges, scholarships and financial aid.

The group's three-day seminar, held for the first time in Las Vegas, will address public policies and ethical issues affecting higher education in areas such as admission, assessment, guidance and financial aid.

Las Vegas was chosen as the site this year because Clark County has one of the fastest-growing school districts in the nation, Susan Shanahan, administrative associate of the College Board, said. This provides a way for a greater number of new educators to become familiar with the College Board, she said.

Despite its rapid growth, Las Vegas has the lowest rate in the nation of high school students who go on to college, an issue UNLV President Carol Harter noted in her opening remarks. Harter said the robust local economy is partly to blame.

In Nevada, a college degree is not necessary for many jobs in the gaming or construction industry.

Harter praised Gov. Kenny Guinn's proposal to provide a free college education to Nevada high school graduates who maintained a B average. The scholarships would be funded through Nevada's portion of the national tobacco settlement.

In his State of the State address, Guinn said only 40 percent of Nevada's high school graduates go to college. On a national average, 65 percent of high school graduates go to college.

archive