High School A-G Completion Can Play A Vital Role in One’s Future.
By: Lawrence Lu
The difference in income for those who are educated vs. those who are not is astoundingly significant and has a large impact on my community. Based on our research in the Oakland Student Voice Report 2020–2021, many Oakland students did not complete the A-G requirements, and thus could not even apply to attend a four-year university. This can directly translate to harming their future and impacting generational success. There are fewer options for those who do not complete their A-G requirements, including internships, community college, and applying for a lower paying job.
Although students still have other avenues to pursue, some options can be more difficult with a lower rate of success. As you can see from the statistics attached below, those who did complete a degree make a fraction of money compared to standard bachelor degree holders. With less education, these individuals most likely had to take more manual labor jobs, and unfortunately, these correlate to lesser wages. These jobs can typically be more dangerous and health-endangering than those that need more qualifications. Conversely, people who are educated earn more livable wages.
According to this statistic, people who’ve completed more years of school usually make more money. This shows how impactful going to college really is. The average is probably more in the Bay Area due to the cost of living, but this is still such a large enough of a difference. With this trend, issues like poverty, health issues and so much more will keep on happening to families who are uneducated, which can make it even harder for them to break the cycle. The people who understand A-G requirements basically get a head start with more knowledge on things relating to getting into college. The tools and materials obtainable to people who couldn’t go to college are not sufficient compared with those who did attend. Education is necessary and needs to be a priority in our city especially with the limited number of students who haven’t completed the A-G requirements necessary to pursue higher education.
