An often-heard question put to teachers across the country on the first day of class goes something like this: “What do I have to do to pass?” The question reminds me of a scenario of buying a car. Suppose that you are waiting your turn to speak with a salesperson in a car dealership. As you sit there you overhear the discussion between the salesperson and the customer in front of you. You find out that this person is purchasing a full-size car with fancy wheels, leather seats, a sunroof and a top-of-the-line stereo system. You also hear that the price is $35,000. Now it is your turn. You sit down. You introduce yourself to the sales person and let it be known that you will be satisfied with a mid-size car. Standard wheels will be fine. Cloth seats will do. You do not want a sunroof and a low-end radio is sound enough. Next you ask the price and you are shocked that it is $35,000. It would not take a degree in economics to guess that you would complain that this is not fair.

            Students in a given college who are residents of the state in which they attend college for the most part pay the same tuition. Yet some get leather upholstering and a top-of-the-line stereo for their money as it were. They are interested in learning as much as they can. They apply themselves and make their semester worthwhile. They truly receive an education. Others, even though they had to pay the same price, will be content with a stripped-down model. They walk away with little more than a piece of paper, if indeed they even achieve that much. They are willing to settle for anything this side of failing. Those who do fail will more often than not be from this second group.

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