Despite a competitive economy in which success increasingly depends on obtaining a college degree, one in four students in this country does not even finish high school in the usual four years.
Matthew Kelly was in danger of becoming one of them.
Tests showed he had a high intellect, but Mr. Kelly regularly skipped homework and was barely passing some of his classes in his early years of high school. He was living in a motel part of the time and both his parents were out of work. His mother, a former nurse, feared that Matthew had so little interest he would drop out without graduating.
Then his guidance counselor suggested he take some courses at a nearby vocational academy for his junior year. For the first time, the sloe-eyed teenager excelled, earning A’s and B’s in subjects like auto repair, electronics and metals technology. “When it comes to practicality, I can do stuff really well,” said Mr. Kelly, now 19.
Related Madison College (MATC) links:
- MATC pay raises to be bigger than officials anticipated
- MATC full-time faculty earn more on average than faculty at most UW campuses
- MATC’s successful $133,800,000 November, 2010 building referendum
- Former Madison School District Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Roger Price is now MATC’s Vice President for Infrastructure.