Page 58 - Considering College

The research on the interdependence of family life and college success overwhelmingly confirms
the impact of families in propelling students to successfully complete college. A 1966 Johns Hopkins

University report, Equality of Educational Opportunity, concluded that the home environment was
the best indicator of a student’s likely success—not technology, textbooks or the quality of

classrooms. It was an uncomfortable report, and it did not fit the social constructs germinating in
the Vietnam era. The report was summarily dismissed.

However, while the discontent in such a finding is still strong, the empirical evidence supporting
those findings grows ever stronger. A recent study by the U.S. Census Bureau finds that

suspension rates of 12- to 17-year-old students are 5.3% when students live with two married
parents, 10.2% if living with one parent and climb to 13.8% when living with a guardian. Family

structure matters. Other circumstances, such as parental education, family income and
neighborhood, also impact the likelihood of student success, but none as significantly as family

structure.

A 1966 Johns Hopkins University report, Equality of Educational Opportunity,
concluded that the home environment was the best indicator of a student’s

likely success—not technology, textbooks or the quality of classrooms. It was
an uncomfortable report, and it did not fit the social constructs germinating

in the Vietnam era. The report was summarily dismissed.

In many rural districts, the combination of at-home family life and small-scale I-know you-and-
love-you school-life supports and enriches the quality of the educational opportunity provided.

I have read about Houston ISD’s challenges: bid-rigging, cronyism, backroom deals. Elected board
issues all. No mention of family life.

When looking for a college, if family life and the support of a family structure is important, try to

understand whether or not the institution values the importance of family—if families are first.

If not, put the campus in the rearview mirror.