September 2, 2005

Students Whose Parents Did Not Attend College Underperform as Undergraduates, Study Finds

By JAMIE SCHUMAN

First-generation college students face a steep climb in academe.

According to a report issued in August by the U.S. Education Department, students whose parents were not educated past high school perform worse in the college classroom and take fewer mathematics, science, and humanities courses there than peers whose parents have some postsecondary education.

First-generation college students were more likely to have taken remedial courses, to have had trouble deciding on a

Digital or Print Subscription

Web Pass

Already have an account? Log In Now.