Response to Video

Funding for K-12 education is significantly larger than it is for adult education. This a tremendous issue, as adult programs and colleges are seeing a high influx of non-traditional students. Many of these students are choosing to initiate their college experience in community colleges for financial reasons, open access and for the variety of programs that are provided. The diverse motives of students parallels their incentives (family, stability, self-improvement) for attaining an education. Roughly half of community college students work full time and one-third of them have families. They are juggling a number of responsibilities that are uncommon for more traditional students. What does this mean for adult education? Community colleges respond to the demands of non-traditional students. By offering classes in the evening and tuition at a fraction of what other universities charge, students have more access to a college education. However, despite their growing population, community colleges are suffering from financial cuts. The lack of resources impacts several of the colleges programs including counseling (in the video we saw that the ratio can sometimes be 1500 students to 1 counselor) and remedial classes, which many students have to take.
Perhaps one of the greatest contributions that community colleges afford, are vocational and skill based classes. These classes prepare students in a number of areas in job training, raising their employment prospects.

I began my post-secondary education at a community college. Like many students, I was unsure of what career path I wanted to embark on. The other more formidable colleges appeared beyond my grasp. My impetus for advancing in my education is similar to the many students entering community colleges, I wanted to create a better future for myself. A non-traditional student, I was able to work though my busy schedule and attend classes, which was in great part due to the flexibility of the community college I attended.
Legislative officials should be aware of how powerful community colleges are for communities and on a larger scale, the United States. Higher education results in working individuals who pay taxes. By limiting resources to these institutions they are not only enforcing the denigrated view some have of community colleges, they are also restricting the sole avenue of education some individuals can afford. Something must be done.