But people acknowledge that poor families have a tougher time. The public has yet to focus on many of the issues fiercely debated in the higher education community, such as remedial programs, the promise of new technology, or efficiency. Parents of high school children place especially high importance on a college education, and African American and Hispanic parents give college an even higher priority than do white parents. All groups believe that the country should insure that no qualified and motivated student is excluded from a college education by the cost. Colleges should help students develop maturity, organizational skills and an ability to get along with others, and should provide specific skills, such as problem solving and communication.
People also have high expectations for the institutions themselves.
They want institutions to keep the costs down, but they also want to ensure quality by hiring good teachers and holding students to high standards. The public tends to emphasize the responsibility of college students, particularly in such areas as remediation and financial aid. But this does not mean that they exempt higher education institutions from any responsibility. The public expects schools to help those who are having trouble, but the initiative should come from individuals. Despite the often-heard complaints about the high cost of higher education, most people believe that anyone who really wants a college education can get one.