Economy changes schedule for Class of 2009

WHAT NOW?: First in a Series

This story marks the first in a series on the economy's affect on those considering college, a career, the military or alternative schools for their future.

There was a time, not too long ago, when Kristina Boxley's office at Catonsville High School was usually full of students seeking permission to participate in the school's work program, which grants class credits to students who hold jobs around town.

"We used to get tons (of requests) every week," said Boxley, chairwoman of the school's guidance department.

"Now when someone comes in with a work permit to get signed, we say, 'Wow! Where'd you get a job?' "

According to Boxley and guidance counselors at other area high schools, the country's growing unemployment rate -- which reached 8.1 percent in February -- has become a reality that today's high school students can't ignore.

Not only has the part-time job market that many students rely on shrunk -- the way members of the Class of 2009 are looking at their future has also changed.

The shrinking economy has become a major consideration in college and career decisions, counselors said.

Meanwhile, the members of the Class of 2010 are learning quickly from their older schoolmates and are showing an increased interest in academic options such as advanced placement courses and parallel study programs with the Community College of Baltimore County.

Students are "thinking in terms of practicality" much more so than in the past, said John Komosa, chairman of Lansdowne High School's guidance department.

Career-minded students are "revisiting (questions) like, 'What's going to get me ready for the job market right away?' " Komosa said.

College-bound students are looking at tuition costs and reconsidering the financial advantages of choosing an in-state four-year institution or going to a local community college.

Students are "paying more attention" to economic factors overall, Komosa said, "which could be a good thing."

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for those ages 16-19 rose from 17.2 percent in February 2008 to 21.6 percent in February of this year.

And as the economy continues to shed thousands of jobs, seniors who will be entering the work force in just three months should carefully plan their next step, said Andrea Tavernia, chairwoman of the guidance department at Western School of Technology and Environmental Science.

Students who are learning specific trades at Western, such as plumbing, heating, gas fitting or automotive technology, are working harder to ensure a smooth transition to an apprenticeship, internship or trade school, Tavernia said.

"Students are noticing that there is a real big need for those trade professions," Tavernia said.

She said those students want to take advantage of the fact their training in school has gotten "their foot in the door."

For students planning for college, the economy has meant increased competition, both for spots in the classroom and for help paying tuition.

Financial aid and scholarship money went quickly this year, counselors said.

Both four-year and two-year colleges in Maryland are reporting spikes in applications and enrollment.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore County, for example, saw a 3 percent increase in applications for this fall compared to fall 2008, while it remains on pace to accept the same number of applicants as last year, said Dale Bittinger, the school's director of undergraduate admissions. The school's 2008 freshmen enrollment was 1,570 students.

That increase in applications at UMBC comes even as many students in the area are choosing community college over four-year schools, counselors said.

More students from both the area's public and private schools are deciding to start their education at the Community College of Baltimore County's Catonsville campus, for example, which is a substantially cheaper choice than in-state four-year schools, counselors said.

For example, the annual full-time tuition and fees for a Baltimore County resident in 2009 was $2,505 at CCBC and $8,780 at UMBC.

According to Theresa Carr, CCBC's dean of enrollment management, enrollment at the school this spring was up 10 percent, and she expects enrollment will increase this fall as well.

Some students who had their minds set on attending a four-year school have had the economy change their plans, counselors said.

"I'm seeing even kids who could have gone to 4-year colleges -- their grades and scores are good enough -- going to the community college just because it's cheaper," Boxley said.

"A lot of the juniors are even saying they're going to the community college first," she said.

And that isn't the only college consideration younger students are making, Boxley said.

For years, the number of students at Catonsville High who participated in the school's parallel enrollment program, which allows them to take courses at CCBC-Catonsville their senior year, has been on the rise.

But current juniors have expressed so much interest in the program, Boxley said, that "it's probably going to be a record number next year."

Tavernia said she has noticed a similar increase in the number of juniors at Western interested in taking CCBC courses.

Megan Bowers, director of guidance at Cardinal Gibbons School, said the Catholic all-boys school is in talks with the community college to start a similar program.

Chuck Belzner, director of guidance at Mount Saint Joseph High School, said counselors at the Catholic all-boys school have made it a point to talk to sophomores and juniors about the economy and preparing for college.

"We're really encouraging them to look ahead now so they can prepare themselves," Belzner said.

While some seniors still have "absolutely no plans" for after graduation, Boxley said, most are aware that times are tough.

How tough, Boxley said she tells students, will be determined by their preparations in March.

College choices for the Class of 2008

Local high school guidance counselors expect these college-bound rates, which are for the schools' 2008 graduating classes, to change this year as the economy makes community colleges more financially attractive.

Counselors expect the percentages for four-year schools to decrease and the percentages for two-year schools to increase.

Graduating class to Graduating class to

High School 4-year college 2-year college

Cardinal Gibbons School 71% 26%

Catonsville High School 50 % 35%

Lansdowne High School 18 % 45%

Mount de Sales Academy 84% 14%

Mount Saint Joseph High School 79% 12%

Seton Keough High School 66% 33%

Western Tech 60% 20%

---

user comments (0)