Quote From: usmcwyfeFirst of all, I think Beth is soemone to be admired. It seems to take little more than money in some cases to get a degree now, but it takes intelligence, hard work, and determination for someone in Beth's situation to get to where she is. If you are rading this, Beth, I want you to know I think you are amazingly strong (now get that backbone, girl!) and do not even see that.
As for UoP giving her a scholarship, I think that only reiterates the idea taht degrees hold less value than they did 10 years ago. I worked hard to earn mine, and I was a HS graduate, in honors classes, had a 2 yr degree behind me....there was a lot of reading, writing, and research involved in earning that degree. Now I am not meaning to say that Beth is not smart enough to get a degree! But if she has a first grade education (although based upon what she has accomplished, I think experience puts her at a higher level), why not test her and set up a private tutor or soemthing - start w/ a GED or HS diploma, then college. I am concerned she is either going to be overwhelmed by it all (the expectancy, format, curriculum she missed in school) or be given a degree w/o really earning it, which is a diservice to everyojne involved. It seems education does not hold the value and honor it once did. Beth was courteous and thankful for the award, but she could have been given something more realistic and practical for her life right now. Sorry, Dr. Phil, but I have to give you a thumbs down on this one.
I could be wrong but I kind of got the feeling that they were going to work with her to get her to the level of education that she would need in order to start college. She seemed a little suprised and overwhelmed by it as well, I'm guessing because she can't even read, but it seemed like they were going to set her up with some sort of tutoring to get her to college level. She seems to be an intelligent adult, it shouldn't take her nearly as long to get to high school diploma level as it does when you are a kid going through school.
I agree with you that ecuation in this country is not worth what it once was, but I do not think they are going to allow this woman to fall through the cracks or coast along and get a degree without earning it. I think she is more than willing to put in the work as it seems her level of education is tied very closely to her self worth. Anyway I guess my point is that I believe they intend to start with the basics like you said, testing her, helping her work toward a GED and the like.
Good luck Beth! I know you have it in you!
