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The Two-Thirds Problem: Why our Educational System Fails Most Students and How We Can Fix It

ailearninsights.substack.com · 1,140 words · saved by 1 readers

In American life, college education is framed as the defining race for success. From the early years, students and families jockey for position to get the best possible start. But the real race begins in high school. Run hard, stay on track, and cross the college finish line—and you’ll earn the coveted prize: a good job, financial security, and a bright future. It's a powerful story. But it's also outdated and increasingly out of step with reality. First, only a third of the students who graduate from high school actually finish the race. Of those who finish and claim the best rewards, most tend to come from privileged families. They benefit from a system heavily stacked in their favor: the best schools, access to honors courses, extracurriculars, test prep, tax-advantaged savings plans, internships, alumni networks, and more. Media rankings like U.S. News & World Report magnify this college-centric ideal, reinforcing the message that this is the one true path to success. Second, the t

The Two-Thirds Problem: Why our Educational System Fails Most Students and How We Can Fix It Alfred Essa May 15, 2025 1 Share The Race to Success In American life, college education is framed as the defining race for success. From the early years, students and families jockey for position to get the best possible start. But the real race begins in high school. Run hard, stay on track, and cross the college finish line—and you’ll earn the coveted prize: a good job, financial security, and a bright future. It's a powerful story. But it's also outdated and increasingly out of step with reality. F

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