Ask Judge Mathis

In recent years, much attention has been paid to K-12 student performance, and rightly so. The educational foundation our children receive in schools prepares them for life; we must devote significant resources to ensuring that education is strong and comprehensive. But we must not forget about our students after they leave high school. College graduates are critical to maintaining a successful American economy.

 According a report recently released by the Public Agenda, a nonpartisan think tank, 2.8 million students enroll in a college or university every year; most of them do not graduate in four years. In fact, many drop out early in their college careers. These students say that it is often too hard to work and support themselves – and often their families – and go to school at the same time. Over a third of the students say that even if they received a grant that helped pay for books and tuition, returning to and finishing college would tax their already full schedules. This is alarming news, considering that more and more of today’s college students are considered ‘untraditional’ students – they have families to support and must work while in school.

Of those who eventually finish school, they are taking longer to graduate. The report notes that only one out of five students who enroll in two-year colleges receive their associate degree, a program that typically takes two years, in three and that only two out of five who enroll in four-year colleges receive their degree within six years.

 College graduates provide much needed innovation, analytical reasoning and specialty skills that move our economy forward.  Additionally, college graduates earn significantly more money over the course of their lifetime than a high school graduate will, money that will be poured back into the American economy. 

 Knowing this, the American government has to work to support these already overwhelmed students by building supports into the nation’s grant programs for students. A housing stipend for students who have to pay rent and subsidized day care for those with children are among the benefits that go a long way in making sure fewer students drop out of college because of such conflicts.

 Obviously, much can – and needs – to be done. The American legislator should view the Public Agenda report as a call to action, taking the disturbing information presented and using it as an impetus to sit down and really think of ways to support our college students. If a student is motivated, we must do all we can to remove the barriers that stand in their way.

George W. Bush’s term as president ended nearly a year ago but America is still feeling the effects of his presidency: an economic recession, two wars that drain both human and financial resources and a less than stellar reputation in the international community.  Thanks to a recently released report, we can now count neglecting civil rights among the many injustices former President Bush and his administration inflicted upon this country. 

According a report from the Government Accountability Office, which reviewed activities of the federal Civil Rights Division from 2001 to 2007, lawyers within the division wanted to investigate several allegations of civil rights violations but were often not allowed to do so by their supervisors. Among the cases not investigated were allegations of voter intimidation and violations of employee rights.  

 The report also notes that, when compared to the tenure his predecessor, former President Clinton, Bush’s oversight of the Civil Right Division signaled a drop in the enforcement of several major laws that promote equality and justice. The division filed about six lawsuits per year in an effort to enforce anti gender and race discrimination laws whereas, under Clinton, it filed about 11 such suits each year.  There was also a decrease in actions taken to enforce the Voting Rights Act, a law that prohibits discriminatory electoral rules.  Under Clinton, the division filed four suits per year; during Bush’s time in office that number dropped to two cases a year.

 To many, it may seem that we are living in a post-racial America. In reality, violent race-based crimes have increased over the last year. Subtle and not so subtle discrimination and bias is alive and well in the work place. And, if you believe that the voting booth is free from such bias, we have to only think back to the 2004 election, where blacks in Florida reported being turned away from the polls. If you recall, the controversial election went to President Bush.

 Though Bush is gone from office, the effects of his actions remain. Just as Obama has to work tirelessly to clean up the economy, he will also have to work to boost the efforts of the Civil Rights Division.  This particular area of government was allowed to falter under Bush and, as a result, many entities may have gotten away with serious civil rights infractions. The President will not only have to clean up the department, he’ll also have to put the most serious offenders on notice, letting them know that their actions will no longer be tolerated.