Column originally published Sunday, January 27, 2008</p><p>The leaders of two area community college systems have strikingly different opinions on how well high schools prepare students to enter college and succeed there.</p><p>"Students come to us very well prepared, with strong skills," said Terry Calaway, president of Johnson County Community College.</p><p>"Many students are not prepared to do college work when they come to us," said Jackie Snyder, chancellor of the five-campus Metropolitan Community College in Missouri.</p><p>The demographic differences in their enrollments are just as stark.</p><p>Three-fourths of the students at Calaway&#8217;s college graduated from high schools in Johnson County, the most affluent county in the metropolitan area. Most of their parents attended college.</p><p>Students on Snyder&#8217;s campuses are much more likely to come from low-income families in which no adult has attended college.</p><p>In today&#8217;s economy, education beyond high school is essential for any young person seeking a rewarding job and decent pay.</p><p>It&#8217;s up to communities and school districts to provide the help that impoverished and first-generation students don&#8217;t find at home. Some are doing a good job; others have a long way to go.</p><p>In recent weeks, The Star has printed editorials calling for schools to do a better job preparing students for college success. Students and school superintendents have shared stories and ideas. Today, college leaders talk about their challenges and ideas for leveling the playing field.</p><p>Editorials on college access, profiles of five college-bound students and excerpts of interviews with school superintendents can be found at <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/">www.kansascity.com/</a> opinion, in a special report, Paths to College.</p><p><strong><span class="subhead">SEEKING SKILLS, DIVERSITY</span></strong></p><p>Terry Calaway, Johnson County Community College president.</p><p>His challenge: Increasing minority enrollment;keeping courses current with workplace demands.</p><p>His focus: Mentoring programs, diversity initiatives and strong scholarship programs.</p><p>On skills for college: "First and foremost is a student&#8217;s ability to read. Math skills are really critical. And one of the things I think is really important is the ability of students to work together. Employers are saying, &#8217;give us someone with a team approach.&#8217; "</p><p>Leveling the playing field: "Every student has the capacity to learn. I don&#8217;t think anyone should lose the opportunity to participate in an educational experience because of the cost of instruction. One of the biggest steps we can take is working with local communities to build good scholarship programs, be they need-based or merit-based."</p><p><strong><span class="subhead">MAKING UP FOR LOST TIME</span></strong></p><p>Jackie Snyder, Metropolitan Community College chancellor.</p><p>Her challenge: Catching students up to college levels.</p><p>Her focus: Aligning high school preparation with college expectations; introducing teenagers to a college culture.</p><p>On getting students college-ready: "We go into high schools and begin testing students in the 10th grade. They get a score and we send it to their parents and give them information...If you scored low in math, here&#8217;s what you need to do to get ready for college."</p><p>Leveling the playing field: "Every student needs to go to the best high school possible. But if students don&#8217;t do their homework, get some sleep at night, get up and have breakfast and get to school, it doesn&#8217;t matter. One of the things that would help the most is a community that cares enough to tell kids they have to go to school. Successful schools have teachers and families and communities intricately involved in the lives of students."