This is another article related to the discussion of colleges and their appropriateness for all students from Salon.com: "Diploma with a side of Fries". I won't bother to quote what you can read and discuss for yourselves.

Also read the article that stirred the first one up. From the Chronicle of Higher Education: "America's Most Overrated Product: the Bachelor's Degree" By Marty Nemko

Perhaps the issue isn't about deciding whether or not students are capable of college, but whether they are ready for college. We should consider the timing and offer most students more options. Maturity plays a big part in whether college is an expensive opportunity wasted or gained.

I have been following Zac Sunderland's solo voyage attempting to be the first to circumnavigate the globe under the age of 18. He will turn 17 soon and is in the middle of the Indian Ocean headed for Mauritius off the coast of Africa. Not every young man needs adventure on that level, but all young men need opportunities to mature and find themselves as measured against real challenges. Like when Zac believed that he was being pursued by pirates. Fortunately it was just a fishing vessel, but the fear was real. And his confident preparation was real. And when kids hit middle school, they start looking for real. Instead we delay their growth, keeping them hooked to fantasy through video games and distraction.