Blog Six.

In the blog Healthcare in Texas written by Alexy Degterev, he talks about how Texas is the worst state for uninsured citizens. It is difficult for Texans to gain it. Now that we have the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) better days are looking bright for those who are in need for it. But with a policy so great and powerful, there are always individuals or a group or people opposing it. In Texas case that is Governor Rick Perry and Senator Ted Cruz.

                The blog is well written. It gives a brief summary on Obamacare and why it is well needed for Texas.  According to the Census Bureau's 2012 American Community Survey, the highest portion of uninsured children, elderly, and unemployed people are all in Texas. With these facts it gives the blog more creditability, and show the stupidity of both Perry and Cruz.

                Obama offered the state of Texas 100 billion dollars for a Medicaid expansion, to help the six million Texans that need it. Degterev asked a question “Are you crazy Rick Perry?” which we will answer shortly. Believe it or not the offer was rejected by Rick Perry and his response was "Texas will not be held hostage by the Obama administration's attempt to force us into this fool's errand of adding more than a million Texans to a broken system." Its irony because Rick Perry is foolish for saying that and, trying to stop the Act that’s going to better the state he governs. So to answer the question above, yes. His partner in crime Senator Ted Cruz is not any better. He demanded several attempts to stop Obamacare as well, but all failed.

                In this blog I do agree with Mr. Degterev completely. The Texas republican party may need a major epiphany to realize how important healthcare is in Texas. Overall good work!

Saving College Students

Enrollment in higher education is slowly increasing in Texas. Overall enrollment grew about 8000 students in 2013. Although that is an increase of less than I percent since 2012. The state has a plan to bring the performance up by 2015. In order this meet their plans goal, we need the growth rate significantly higher than the current one. About 34000 students in the next two years.  An article in the Texas Tribune titled higher education enrollment growth gives facts about enrollment in higher ed institutions. Public universities experience an increase of less that 2 percent the last year. Texas southern University experienced the biggest decrease of more than 10 percent. Texas A&M added 3100 student, on a good note. Community colleges experienced less than 1 percent decline and tech schools experienced highest percent of 5.5 increase. Part of the plan is a program called Advise Texas College Advising Corps. It places college graduates in high school to advise students of their future. Since Texas has a slowly working plan for enrollment process, in order to sustain it Texas government should adopt a course of action to keep student enrolled in college.

                Once students are enrolled in college the main goal should focus on keeping the student in. There are many reasons for students to drop out of college. Their financial situation can play a big factor. Many students throughout their college lifetime don’t have to funds to pay for it. They may take out student loans, apply for scholarships, or mainly apply for financial aid. Once these options run dry weather it is student slacking in school or just don’t have the necessary means to supply their schooling. It can put a huge toll on the dropout rate, which does not reflect well with the enrollment rate. Therefore Texas needs to implement a better funding program for college tuition. This will help tremendously with the overall system of Texas higher education. Your finances are main stressors in life. If you know your finances are taken care of, then your life can be less stressful. College is where you worry about your finances half the time and I shouldn’t have to be.

                Although it is a good one, the overwhelming college lifestyle can be another reason why students drop out. Many are not prepared for the transition from high school to college. As stated earlier, there is a program to advise high school student about college to help with the enrollment rate. With the dropout rate there should be a better program to assist it. There are many counselors and previous student as well to help freshmen college student. But there should be a specific program to help student stay focus in school ensuring it doesn’t interfere with their promising college years.

http://www.texastribune.org/2013/10/25/higher-ed-enrollment-grows-slowly-deadline-looms/