A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

FOR RELEASE
October 16, 2000

Contact:
John Emekli
(202) 401-3026

NEW REPORT SHOWS CHANGED FACE OF AMERICAN COLLEGES AND
THAT GETTING READY EARLY FOR COLLEGE DOES PAY OFF

Canton, Ohio - More high schoolers are taking Advanced Placement courses and those who take such courses are more likely to complete a bachelor's degree than students who don't complete such work, according to a report released today by U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley.

"This report confirms the very real advantages for students who take challenging courses early on in their education. We need to do everything we can to encourage young people to prepare for college early so that more young Americans will be better prepared for college and a lifetime of success," Riley said.

Riley spoke today at Lehman Middle School in Canton, Ohio as part of the Education Department's second annual National College Week to promote the accessibility and affordability of college.

The report, Getting Ready Pays Off: A Report for National College Week, also indicates that individuals who hold a bachelor's degree or greater can expect to earn, on average, $15,000 more per year than high school graduates do.

In addition, the report shows record overall enrollments, greater higher education affordability, and more diverse student populations.

The report, published by the U.S. Department of Education, was released at an event recognizing the Department's Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP). GEAR UP involves partnerships with businesses, schools, and community groups to prepare disadvantaged youth for college beginning in middle school.

According to the report, average college aid packages for a full-time student (including federal grants and loans) have risen 68 percent since the 1989-90 school year. The average annual aid package per full-time student is now just over $6,000 and the total federal student aid allotment now tops $64 billion per year. The average cost in tuition, fees, room and board at four-year public institutions last year was $8,265.

The report also shows how college student populations have grown much more diverse, with women comprising about 57 percent of all students and disabled students making up 5 percent of undergraduate populations. It also states that college enrollments in 2000 reached a record high of 15.1 million students. Between 2000 and 2010, full-time enrollment is expected to rise by 19 percent.

"Record enrollments, coming at a time when many of our colleges and universities are full and becoming more selective, means there is more pressure on high school seniors to get into the college of their choice," Riley said. "This is why I continue to encourage America's higher education community to enter into a sustained dialogue with education reformers at the middle and secondary school levels. The old paradigm of two distinct systems of education going their own way does not fit our modern times."

Riley today also called on Congress to grant President Clinton's request for $325 million for FY 2001 so that a total of 1.3 million children can reap opportunities afforded by GEAR UP. He stated that GEAR UP is so successful that more than 100 college presidents from across the country wrote to President Clinton in September to request more funding for the program.

"Unfortunately, Congress seems reluctant right now to increase support for GEAR UP and I think that is very shortsighted," Riley said. "There are thousands and thousands of young people all across this country who could benefit from being in a program just like this one that brings the entire community together to help young people get ready for college."

The report is available on the U.S. Department of Education website at: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/News/collegeweek/index.html or by calling 1-877-4ED-PUBS

###