Paired Texts > Making college more affordable: The importance of pre-collegiate preparation

by Reynold Verret

2018

We've identified these texts as great options for text pairings based on similar themes, literary devices, topic, or writing style. Supplement your lesson with one or more of these options and challenge students to compare and contrast the texts. To assign a paired text, click on the text to go to its page and click the "Assign Text" button there.

8th Grade Informational Text 940L
How Native Students Can Succeed In College: 'Be As Tough As The Land That Made You'
  • Claudio Sanchez
  • 2016

In “How Native Students Can Succeed in College: ‘Be As Tough As The Land That Made You’,” Claudio Sanchez discusses the obstacles Native American students face regarding college and how one particular program has helped.

Pair “How Native Students Can Succeed In College: ‘Be As Tough As The Land That Made You’” with “Making college more affordable: The importance of pre-collegiate preparation” to provide students with information about one program that helps native students apply and be recognized by universities. Ask students to discuss why some talented and intelligent students either don’t apply to college or are overlooked. How do both texts emphasize the benefits of additional programs and preparation to help students attend college?

12th Grade Informational Text
Mentors play critical role in quality of college experience, new poll suggests
  • Leo M. Lambert, Jason Husser, and Peter Felten
  • 2018

In the informational text “Mentors play critical role in quality of college experience, new poll suggests,” Leo M. Lambert, Jason Husser, and Peter Felten discuss how college students benefit from having a mentor.

Pair “Mentors play a critical role in quality of college experience, new poll suggests” with “Making college more affordable: The importance of pre-collegiate preparation” and ask students to discuss how both texts explore how students can succeed in college. Do students think it would be beneficial for high school students to have mentors? Why or why not? How might this positively impact students’ performance in high school and their likelihood of attending a university?

11th Grade Opinion 1240L
Making college more affordable: more than one funder has to step up
  • Jill Tiefenthaler
  • 2018

In the informational text “Making college more affordable: more than one funder has to step up” Jill Tiefenthaler discusses how different funders could help make college more affordable for students.

Pair “Making college more affordable: The importance of pre-collegiate preparation” with “Making college more affordable: More than one funder has to step up” and ask students to discuss who is responsible for making college more affordable. How can high schools and external funding help make college more affordable for students? What do students think they can do to help make college more affordable for themselves when it’s time to attend?

11th Grade Opinion 1100L
Making college more affordable: What needs discussing is the total cost of a degree
  • Eric Barron
  • 2018

In the informational text “Making college more affordable: What needs discussing is the total coast of a degree,” Eric Barron discusses what makes college so expensive for students.

Pair “Making college more affordable: What needs discussing is the total cost of a degree” with “Making college more affordable: The importance of pre-collegiate preparation” and ask students to discuss what makes college expensive for students. How do both texts explore how we can minimize the cost of a degree? How can universities and high schools help their students complete their degree on time and limit the overall cost of a postsecondary education?

11th Grade Informational Text 1280L
Avoid high student debt and dropping out by asking these 4 questions about any college
  • Jake Murray
  • 2018

In the informational text “Avoid high student debt and dropping out by asking these 4 questions about any college,” Jake Murray discusses four questions that can help students choose a quality university that won’t leave them with unreasonable debt.

Pair “Making college more affordable: The importance of pre-collegiate preparation” with “Avoid high student debt and dropping out by asking these 4 questions about any college” and ask students to discuss the benefits of preparing for college in advance. How do both texts emphasize the importance of students completing their degrees quickly to limit the cost of school? Do students consider the questions posed in “Avoid high student debt and dropping out by asking these 4 questions about any college” as a form of preparation for college? What other questions do students think it’s important to ask themselves before deciding on a college to attend?