Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/381166
Perspectives Parents need to be educated a b o u t t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f college. Parents in the film go back and forth between s u p p o r t i n g s t u d e n t s a n d imposing guilt trips to keep them at home. Parents are not contacted by educators, nor do they contact educa- tors, to help them understand that investing in college pays off in better jobs and higher salaries. S c h o o l s n e e d t o e d u c a t e students better about college application deadlines, how to apply to universities, which schools offer the best financial aid, etc. It is important to educate high school students about strategies to succeed once they are enrolled in college as they transition to living away from home. A c c o r d i n g t o t h e f i l m , m o s t first-generation, low-income students drop out of college. Only 21 percent transfer from community colleges to four-year colleges. The film has been shown in high schools nationwide, and cast members have attended screenings, including Cecilia Lopez, who failed to realize her dream of attending UCLA. She says she hopes to encourage other students to avoid the mistakes she made when applying to colleges, such as submitting a lackluster personal essay. The filmmakers say the most difficult part was having to refrain from offering help to the students who were obviously on the wrong track. They shouldn't feel guilty; the film is making up for it by reaching a large population and informing students, school staff and parents about the importance of making good choices. For more information or a free screening, visit firstgenerationfilm.com. Students like Keresoma "Soma" Leio don't know how to navigate the financial aid maze. 25 V O L U M E 1 9 I S S U E 2 When you're ready to elevate student achievement. You are ready for American Public University. With more than 90 degrees to choose from, there's almost no end to what you can learn. Pursue a respected Education degree online — at a cost that's 33% less for graduate students than the average in-state rates at public universities.* Visit StudyatAPU.com/cal-ed *National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Digest of Education Statistics, 2011. We want you to make an informed decision about the university that's right for you. For more about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed each program, and other important information, visit www.apus.edu/disclosure. 2014 ONLINE PROGRAMS BE ST BACHELOR'S