No Answers, Just Questions

I saw on the news last night, and then in the paper again this morning, an announcement from the Cleveland City Schools.  They informed the public that any student graduating from the Cleveland Municipal School District (CMSD), after four years of attendance through the schools, will have their tuition covered at any participating post secondary institution.  CMSD has partnered with Say Yes to Education  to provide this opportunity for these students.  My first reaction was that of excitement for the young people as this could literally change the pathway of a young person’s life.  My second thought was one of relief for these young people as now they don’t need to worry about if they can afford to go to school beyond high school if they chose.  This then led to my third thought which was more of a question, “If post-secondary education is the gateway to a ‘better life’, why are so relatively few young people able to go on to post-secondary education?” and “How many other young people will not have this ‘life changing” opportunity?”,  and then “What is the average cost of going to post-secondary schools now?” I have a lot of questions and not a lot of answers.

I’m not necessarily advocating for free college tuition for all ala Bernie Sanders, in fact I don’t believe college is for everyone and besides, I don’t want to even go down that political road.  I think I’m just wondering…

...why is the average cost of college in Ohio (a little over $11,000 a year currently) more than the average cost for educating a young person in a K-12 public school in Ohio (a little over $9000 a year)?

....is one “more important” than the other?

... in general, are there better pedagogical practices taking place at K-12 or post-secondary and that is why it costs more? (I know it is dangerous to talk in generalities)

...if post-secondary is the gateway to a “better life” why is K-12 education considered a “right” and  post-secondary a “privilege”?

...why  in 1997 was the average cost for post secondary education in Ohio close to $4000 for a state university, but the average cost for educating a K-12 student during that time $6000?

...is the “Say Yes to Education” program, as great as it is, treating the symptom and not the problem?

Clearly, I don’t have answers, but that is the beauty of asking questions (see also “Which is Best for Kids: Answers or Questions?”).  Questions get us thinking and lead to more questions we probably should be asking.  I wonder if they can lead us down the “right” path for this issue if the “right” questions are asked? Did you just have another question pop in your head? :)