by Decker Ngongang, Mobilize.org
August 24, 2010
In the past weeks there have been numerous articles on education that have been lost on the national consciousness as headlines are overwhelmed with the rise of political season, the continued conflict in Iraq + Afghanistan (OIF/OEF), reality television and sensationalized news.
To our detriment, the mainstream is unaware that for the first time in the 21st century, the current generation of college-aged Americans will be less educated than their parents. Fewer than 46% of students at 4-year universities complete their degree within 6 years and only 3 out of 10 students attending community colleges complete their 2-year associate degree within 3 years.
Mobilize.org believes the Millennial Generation should play an active role in the future of education in our country and we believe that one of the single most important factors in reversing generational poverty is educational attainment. With generous support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and the Rappaport Family Foundation, and in alignment with national goals set by the current administration, Mobilize.org will convene three Democracy 2.0 Summits in 2010 and 2011, titled “Target: 2020 | My Education. Our Future.”
Higher education is a primary factor in improving the state of our communities and our country, as individuals who complete some form of postsecondary education are able to earn higher wages, likely increasing the financial stability for themselves and their families. But if the current student population, the majority of members of the Millennial Generation, are somehow falling short of achieving its educational goals, our country faces a significant problem with consequences impacting our nation for decades to come; hence, My Education. Our Future.
While there have been vast investments in improving access to higher education, current studies now show that access is less of a barrier for young Americans achieving the American Dream than students receiving adequate support needed to complete their education after they start. Once the leading country in producing college graduates, America now ranks 10th among 12 developed nations.
As we debate National Security, Environmental policy, and economic issues we must add Education to the list of top issues affecting our countries viability now and in the future. Our ability to produce educated, and civically active citizens is fundamental to the health and sustainability of our democracy.
In July 2009, President Barack Obama announced the launch of the American Graduation Initiative, a commitment to equipping Americans with the skills they need for 21st century jobs and to returning America to its position as the leader in producing the highest proportion of college graduates in the world. To reach this goal, the President is making investments in education to help an additional 8 million students earn postsecondary degrees and certificates by 2020. In addition, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have chosen to focus on significantly increasing postsecondary graduation rates by the year 2020.
At each summit, 150 students from America’s community colleges will identify barriers they face in achieving their postsecondary educational goals and develop Millennial-led solutions to address them.
We are focusing on Community College students for a number of reasons. According to the American Association of Community Colleges, 46% of undergraduate students are currently enrolled in America’s community colleges; approximately 6.5 million students with an average age of 29 years old. This student population also reflects the diversity of the Millennial Generation as 35% are students of color and 60% are female. With the increase in enrollment around the country, and with more students attending college part-time while working more than 20 hours a week, community colleges are becoming diverse laboratories for Millennial innovation and civic participation.
Our Democracy 2.0 Summits, “Target: 2020 | My Education. Our Future.” will facilitate discussions and idea generation among Millennials that will focus on collaborative, community-based problem solving. We believe the programs, projects and results generated from our “Target: 2020” Democracy 2.0 Summits will help Millennials and communities around the country see the connection between civic engagement, completing their education and the impact it can have on our country by the year 2020.
Decker Ngongang is Vice President of Programs at Mobilize.org, an organization that makes democracy work by investing in Millennial-driven solutions to 21st century problems.