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Review Of The Documentary Film 'Declining By Degrees'

898 Words4 Pages

Seth Wilson
English Composition 1
Professor Catherine Stoynoff
4/22/23
Improving Higher Education in the United States

The film “Declining by Degrees” is a documentary film that explores the challenges and issues facing higher education in the United States. The film is based on extensive research and interviews with students, educators, policymakers, and experts in the field of higher education. It examines a range of issues, including the quality and rigor of college courses, the cost of higher education, the role of technology in learning, and the challenges facing students from diverse backgrounds. The most concerning information that was revealed was that the K-12 education system fails to adequately prepare students throughout those …show more content…

My first and obvious point is the improvement of academic preparation by constructing a bigger emphasis on college-readiness in K–12 schooling to help students prepare for college-level work. This might include offering students access to challenging material, such as Advanced Placement (AP) classes and dual enrollment plans, as well as services to help them get better grades, such as tutoring and test prep courses. Another way would be to increase support services to aid students in overcoming the social and academic difficulties that come with college. Examples would be to consider academic counseling, mentoring initiatives, tutoring services, and support groups. Colleges should also work to develop an inclusive and encouraging culture that promotes a sense of community and belonging among all students. Furthermore, many students attend college without the necessary skills and academic foundation for success in college-level work. To address this, colleges should offer remedial education programs to assist students in filling gaps in their academic knowledge and abilities. These programs should be available to all students who need them, regardless of financial circumstances. Lastly, the addressing of systemic issues within the schooling organization. This could involve confronting inequalities in K-12 education, such as racial and socioeconomic discrimination, and working to …show more content…

The film highlights various reasons that hinder students capacity to succeed in college and beyond, ranging from a lack of academic preparation to the rising cost of tuition. However, the film also provides answers to these problems. Improving academic preparation in K-12 schooling, providing remedial education programs, lowering the cost of education as well as student debt, and providing support services to assist students in overcoming social and academic difficulties are just a few of the ways universities can improve the college experience for

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