The number of WCASD students taking the SAT declines by nearly 20%.
Updated: Sep 7
College is no longer a given for Gen Z.
In 2022, 718 WCASD students took the SAT, down from 869 students in 2020. This is a decrease of almost 20 percent. Why the decline? Are fewer students college-bound? Have students lost interest in school? Did school closures cause students to become apathetic towards school and learning?
A new YPulse report found two in five Gen Z students agreed with the statement: “The pandemic has made me less interested in pursuing higher education.”
Consumed with pandemic-era grief, Gen Z’s apathy towards attending college has grown — even influencing students as young as middle schoolers.
The report (summarized here) lists five reasons why interest in college is decreasing amongst Gen Z.
1. The vast majority of Gen Z middle school students say they don’t see a future pursuing college.
2. Gen Z students are more likely to find Google and YouTube more helpful than a teacher.
3. Gen Z college students struggle to stay interested in their classes and believe they don’t teach practical skills.
4. Gen Z students wish they learned about alternative career paths growing up.
5. Gen Z students believe work experience is more important than a college education.
Get the details here.
Has your child lost interest in attending college? How has WCASD contributed to this? Has the district taken steps to address this issue?
