This is regarding “Tracking of college students opposed; 62% in survey oppose a federal database” (Metro, July 7). One major problem concerning the creation of a federal database to monitor the progress of college students is that it will simply confirm what we already know about how unprepared many students are when it comes to facing the rigors of a college curriculum. Unfortunately too many of our high school students do not put in the necessary time and effort that are sorely needed during their high school careers, and are often content with the C’s and D’s that will grant them credits they need to graduate.
Regrettably, while the vast majority of these students intend to work harder once they are in college, they have failed to master the skills and the discipline that are required for the often difficult and time-consuming coursework that colleges demand.
Available data already prove that the majority of college-bound students who receive mediocre grades in high school will not even acquire a two-year college degree. Consequently it is grossly unfair to hold colleges and universities accountable when the students were not adequately prepared in the first place for college coursework. Students at the secondary level have to be convinced that homework and grades matter, and once they learn these fundamental truths from their parents, teachers and counselors, a federal database will eventually verify that successful high school students will ultimately become successful college students.
