Making College Matter

Which statement best expresses the central idea of the text?

• Universities of today encourage students to prioritize social engagement and networking rather than academic achievement.

• Prestigious universities with quality professors and resources are more likely to produce students that report having a meaningful college experience.

• College students' focus on grades and academic performance causes them to neglect meaningful relationships with peers and faculty.

• Students can have a meaningful academic experience at any university, as long as they take the initiative in their learning.

Which detail form the text best supports the idea that students can have a meaningful academic experience at any university as long as they take responsibility in their learning?

• "A significant part of the undergraduate experience, after all, involves grappling with big questions about professional, personal and civic identity." (Paragraph 2)

• "Powerful education, in other words, is available to all students at all institutions, if they intentionally choose experiences that are challenging and relationship-rich." (Paragraph 35)

• "I hate classes with a lot of reading that is tested on. Any class where a teacher is just gonna give us notes and a worksheet or something like that is better." (Paragraph 11)

• "And many universities reinforce these beliefs by building lavish amenities and marketing themselves as something akin to a resort with a curriculum." (Paragraph 4)

What is the author's overall purpose in the text?

• to identify what students and educators can do to make sure college students get the most of their education.

• to criticize the approach that most students and educators have when it comes to college education

• to explain how students can have fun in college while also accomplishing what they need to academically

• to show how the perspective on grades and learning is vastly different in college than how it was in high school

Which statement best describes the relationship between the success of college students and the actions of educators?

• Students are more likely to be engaged in the material they're learning if professors present it in a new and exciting ways.

• Students are more likely to succeed when engaged in additional opportunities by educators, as well as mentorships.

• Students are more likely to stay in school if they feel that an educator is holding them accountable in the classroom.

• Students can't be successful in school if their educators don't give them access to high quality learning tools.