Could it be that some of the kids from Central HS don’t want to go to UA. If UA is indeed right across the street maybe they want to spread they wings a little and get away from home. Why the jump to either they don’t qualify or UA is not recruiting them. Lots of kids want to move away for college. I would like to see the numbers showing what colleges the kids from Central go to after graduation. What were they scores?
The lack of Central High students at UA seems likely related to test scores and/or affordability.
And I doubt Greek-related “mini-scandals” has much to do with it. The rest of the state, especially high schools in more affluent pockets? Maybe, but I think the Greek scandals hurt UA’s appeal nationally more so than locally. If anything, I’ve always thought UA’s focus on a national reputation and student body may have hurt its appeal to Alabamians who are concerned its lost much of its “Southernness” (for lack of a better word).
According to this source, Central High School in Tuscaloosa is ranked #338 out of #341 schools in the state based on test scores:
http://www.schooldigger.com/go/AL/schoolrank.aspx?level=3
And their “college readiness index” is 11.3 (out of 100) according to U.S. News:
Compare that to the top-ranked school in the state, Loveless Academic Magnet Program in Montgomery, with a “college readiness” index of 94:
So, one thing that ua could be done is help college readiness and general education in that district, starting with preK, establishing mentoring and a sort of ‘promise’, perhaps involve the honors students in addition to the Black belt program?
Such results in a collehentown should not be considered acceptable and are an opportunity for UA and its students.
LucietheLackie, when I say scandal, I was referring to arrests of Frat students for drug possession, and several high profile hazing incidents. I think those may have hurt UA more locally than nationally, and I agree that the more racial oriented controversies probably had little effect on the local population. It certainly didn’t seem to turn Black students away.
Perhaps Ms. Ernestine Tucker of the Tuscaloosa school board ought to be working to solve the problems of her school district rather than blame UA for their lack of interest. But assigning blame is what the New York Times does best, without blame there is no division…and no story.
Myo, I agree UA should be involved in raising test scores of local students, but those parents and state and local school officials bear the greatest responsibility. And UA IS already involved in helping Tuscaloosa primary education, though I am having trouble finding evidence of that online. .
The New York Times didn’t assign blame, @STEM2017. They quoted a nearby school board member after soliciting her opinion. She questioned UA’s priorities. The reader is left to agree or disagree with her line of reasoning.
They also quoted former student body president Elliot Spillers, “the first black student in 40 years to have held that position,” who clearly thought the changes in student body composition were net positive:
And only a small part of that article (“Public Colleges Chase Out-of-State Students, and Tuition”) was about UA. It’s a big topic of discussion across the country. That’s hardly some new revelation.
@sensation723 It COULD by that. Or it could be the fact that the Alabama Department of Education reports show that, based on the ACT Plan scores, only two to three percent of Central 10th-graders are on track to meet the ACT college readiness benchmarks in math and science. In other words, most of Central’s graduates aren’t ready for college.
http://uanews.ua.edu/2016/07/ua-to-conduct-stem-entrepreneurship-camp-for-students-in-high-school/
"About 40 students from eight area high schools will have the opportunity to improve their knowledge and application of science, technology, engineering, and math while developing their entrepreneurship skills at The University of Alabama…The STEM Entrepreneurship Academy Camp will begin Sunday, July 17, and end Friday, July 22. …‘We look forward to this third annual STEM Entrepreneurship Academy camp,’ said Dr. Roseanna Gray, camp director for the Center for Community-Based Partnerships.
“Campers will represent Amelia L. Johnson High School in Thomaston; Aliceville High School; Greene County High School in Eutaw; Hale County High School in Moundville; Holt High School; Oakman High School; Pickens County High School in Reform; and Sumter Central High School in York.”
The story behind Central High is fascinating.
Here’s an excellent article in the Atlantic, on schools in Tuscaloosa (including Central High) and the changes that have happen over the years.
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/05/segregation-now/359813/
Top students (the limited number that they do have) at Central HS have options other than UA. For example, last year at FAMU, a 3.5 GPA and 29 ACT would have qualify an OOS student for a full 4 year scholarship that pays tuition, fees, room and board. Plus STEM majors got laptops. At UA, an in-state student with a 29 ACT score would have received 1/2 tuition scholarship.
^^ Fascinating and more than a little depressing. Good to get the nuance a few paragraphs in the NYT article could never convey. Thanks for that link, @Gator88NE.