Summary
After Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans schools pushed a "college for all" message. Many students, like Geraldlynn Stewart, faced significant challenges when trying to pursue this path due to financial and personal obstacles.
Key Facts
- The "college for all" approach aimed to lift New Orleans students out of poverty after Hurricane Katrina.
- Many schools, especially charter schools like those in the KIPP network, focused on college preparation.
- Geraldlynn Stewart, a student from New Orleans, found it difficult to balance college and work responsibilities.
- Stewart attended Dillard University, but financial challenges and work demands influenced her decision to leave college.
- The college push did not account for the financial and personal challenges faced by students from working-class families.
- Stewart's story reflects common challenges among New Orleanians of her generation who started college but did not complete degrees.
