The United States is experiencing a major disconnect between its lower and higher education system due to a major drop of students from high school to college. Today, an organization proposes an opportunity for students from lesser-income brackets to secure a bachelor's degree through data science.
According to Silicon Republic, for every 90 students who earn a Bachelor's Degree in their mid-20s in the United States, only 8 come from the lowest income quartile. Founder of Beyond 12 Alexandra Bernadotte sees the numbers as a manifestation of a great loss of potential, not only for the students and their families but for the American nation as a whole.
Beyond 12 is an organization founded by Bernadotte, who envisions a dramatic increase of college graduates who hail from low-income, first-generation and under-represented students. Bernadotte's drive is fueled by a personal commitment to help students who share her story. Bernadotte's family was financially challenged too and for her, finishing college is a miracle she wants to share with others.
Neither of her parents was able to go to College but Bernadotte was determined to earn a degree. With lots of hard work and diligence, she got accepted to Dartmouth, an Ivy League school. Amid the financial, social, emotional and academic struggles, she was able to earn her degree. Now she is ready to help others succeed.
It is a fact that the economy is currently experiencing an industrial shift towards technology and science. Bernadotte believes that there is now a need to ensure an adequate flow of graduates. This is where Beyond 12 and data analytics come in.
Beyond 12 acts as a service and data bridge that connects the gap between high school and college. They provide feedback, coaching and programs to high school students by matching them with virtual coaches.
These coaches are Beyond 12 alumni who recently graduated from college. Meanwhile, with data analytics, Beyond 12 wants to help high school students become college ready.
