“If today’s students see the value in what they are learning, they will comply, respond and be active. If they don’t see the value, you will just be making them jump through hoops.”
Mark Taylor
Taylor Programs
At the session “Generation NeXt Comes to College”
“Community college transfer students are a growing population, not only at UTSA but at
every university.”
Edward Ortega
Transfer Specialist
University of Texas
at San Antonio
At the session “Planting the Transfer Seed”
“Now more than ever, it
is important that we as the College Board speak with one voice in relation to advocacy.”
Molly Nan Davis
Vice President for Institutional Enrollment
Austin College
At the College Scholarship Service Assembly meeting.
Founding Editor of the Oklahoma Observer
Calls for Investing in Education
“Everything America is, or ever hopes to be, depends upon what happens in her public school systems,” Forrest J. “Frosty” Troy began his keynote speech as the audience erupted in applause. Outspoken and passionate, the founding editor of the Oklahoma Observer focused on his
experiences and insights as an advocate for education.
For Troy, the key to maintaining America’s position as a global leader is to make education a national priority and ensure that all students receive the necessary support to succeed. “All we owe any kid in this country,” he said, “is opportunity.”
Touching upon several ways that America can begin improving school systems and increasing equity, Troy insisted that education should be considered an “investment” rather than an “expense.” He noted that one-third of American public schools cannot afford computers, while American teachers are ranked 22nd in the world in salaries. By increasing funds for classroom resources and teacher salaries, the resulting returns will be invaluable.
Troy discussed the need to work closely with students who are currently struggling in the public school system. He encouraged the audience to take a closer look at those kids and ask “Who are they, and why are we losing them?”
He also noted that parental investment in education is just as essential as monetary investment. Calling upon parents to support children through the educational system, Troy said that students “need to be mentored and shepherded” by parents as well as teachers and counselors.
Ultimately, all students deserve equal access and opportunity to quality education. It is our responsibility as a society, Troy said, to “put our shoulder to the wheel. One of the things that we cannot afford to be austere about is education.”
Globalization and Advocacy Main Topics of Conversation with
College Board President Gaston Caperton
Two main themes kept resurfacing during the sessions, speeches and special events at this year’s Southwestern Regional Forum: the effect of globalization upon education and the current efforts of the College Board’s advocacy programs to reach underserved student populations.
These two themes were brought directly into focus during the question and answer session led by College Board President, Gaston Caperton.
When asked about the College Board’s efforts to address issues in the international arena, Caperton discussed an emphasis on international work in both China and India. These efforts are important, he said, since they provide “an opportunity to expand the number of people that we serve while giving us a better sense of what the
world is doing.”
Advocacy questions touched upon a broad array of topics, including: what work is being done to support Native American students; how does the College Board advocate for school counselors; what resources are available to help rural towns build AP® programs; and what will the College Board’s advocacy priorities be in the future?
Caperton expressed gratitude for the wide range of questions offered by the audience. This discussion “helps us learn what we should be studying and focusing our efforts on,” he said.
