Caperton Holds Town Hall Sessions at All 6 Regional Forums

College Board President Gaston Caperton attended all six of the 2009 regional forums. Leading the College Board troupe from Boston, Oklahoma City and Chicago to Baltimore, Atlanta and Denver, Caperton held town hall-style meetings at each stop, speaking with members and offering his thoughts on the state of education in light of the current international economy, and discussing the current work of the College Board.

Caperton acknowledged that we are facing one of the greatest economic crises of our time, but he stressed the need for everyone to confront these difficult times and remember the promise and determination to help each generation go further and achieve more than the previous generation. The College Board’s mission is more important now than ever before, because the mounting education deficit in this country is as grave a threat to our nation’s well-being as is the fiscal crisis,
if not more so.

Citing findings from the recent report of the College Board’s Commission on Access, Admissions and Success in Higher Education, "Coming to Our Senses: Education and the American Future," Caperton stated that high school completion rates in the United States are continually declining, and a large disparity exists among racial and ethnic groups in the percentage of students who leave high school eligible for college admission — 40 percent of white students, 23 percent of African American students and 20 percent of Hispanic students — and almost half of those need remedial course work. This has put the United States behind several other industrialized nations, with only 40 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds in the U.S. earning a two- or four-year college degree. This number will fall to 29 percent by 2025 if changes are not made. The commission identified a number of things that must be done to raise this to at least 55 percent by 2025 in America, which will be necessary to maintain our standing as the world’s leading knowledge-based economy.

Caperton expressed optimism about our new president and his secretary of education. He said that President Obama has talked so eloquently about hope and the need to ensure that people who have the desire and the will, but not the money, can still get the best education possible. Caperton said that Obama has made a commitment to education and asked us to transform our schools and colleges to meet the challenges ahead. He shared these words from Obama’s inaugural address, “We will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. All this we will do.” Caperton stressed that this is an urgent call to action from our president — one we must be prepared to answer.

Nine years ago, the College Board’s membership and staff together recognized the changing landscape, anticipated the challenges ahead and began a transformation to better serve all students. Caperton explained that, as a membership organization spanning the education pipeline, the College Board is uniquely suited to promote innovation and change in the American education system. Working with members, the College Board has taken bold steps — redefining our mission; expanding our flagship programs; developing innovative school programs; and strengthening our advocacy efforts — to connect greater numbers of students to college success and opportunity, while maintaining academic excellence.

The organization, growing from approximately 400 to 1,200 employees in less than a decade, has three primary areas of focus: college readiness; college admissions and financial aid; advocacy, innovation and research. With the College Readiness System™, the College Board works with institutions and educators to ensure that all students are prepared for success in college and beyond. College admissions and financial aid work includes improving college access, recruitment and retention, although, clearly, demands for financial aid will be more difficult to meet in these tough economic times.

The College Board’s advocacy efforts were expanded by its Board of Trustees three years ago, utilizing the power and strength of the membership. Advocacy efforts connect research, policy and practice to increase college access and success for all students. Initiatives include recent reports from the Commission on Access, Admissions and Success; Rethinking Student Aid; and Task Force on Admissions in the 21st Century. Advocating for education is central to the work of
the College Board.

Putting its research into practice, Caperton described the 16 innovative schools the College Board has developed and currently operates in New York. These College Board schools have created cultures that are entirely focused on preparing students for success, offering low-income and minority students in grades six through twelve the best possible college preparation. Two of these schools graduated their first four-year classes last spring, and 80 percent of graduates were accepted to at least one college.

Caperton lauded the many exemplary, odds-defying schools across the country that are taking remarkable steps to give their students the bright futures they deserve. “Schools like these give us reasons for optimism and hope, despite the difficult times we now face,” said Caperton. “The success of these schools clearly shows that when young people are given the opportunity and support, they are eager and determined to do what it takes to be successful.”

Over the last decade the College Board has transformed itself into a mission-driven organization, led by its members, with the programs, passion and commitment necessary to meet today’s challenges and help students achieve their dreams.

After his remarks, Caperton enjoyed some spirited dialogue with attendees and answered questions. Most people were interested in hearing more about his thoughts on President Obama. Caperton again emphasized his belief in the president’s commitment to education and reminded the audience that both the president and the first lady were able to accomplish great things because of their education. He said that members of the Commission on Access, Admissions and Success in Higher Education began meeting with Obama’s transition team in early December. Caperton also said he plans to meet soon with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, whom he believes has a great ability to get things done. Caperton added that Duncan has direct access to the president in much the same way that Secretary Richard Riley worked closely with President Bill Clinton. The things that Duncan says are very much in line with the mission of the College Board.

Back to top