By Carla Zanoni
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — Community members rallied with elected officials and academics on Tuesday to call attention to achievement rate disparities in college enrollment and graduation among city youth.
Led by Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez, the group looked to address the barriers they say are keeping the city’s young people out of college.
"For decades, we have fought to improve access to college for all students," Rodriguez said in a public statement. "Study after study has shown that young people without a college education face lower incomes, more difficulty getting a job, and higher rates of incarceration."
Rodriguez and the group pointed to low enrollment and graduation rates within the community college system, which he said now graduates only 36 percent of black and Latino students with an Associates degree after six years, and said something must be done to drive up the numbers.
According to Katherine Hughes, assistant director for work and education reform research, at Columbia University’s Center for Community College Research, studies have shown that "only 20 to 30 percent of students coming to CUNY from NYC public schools are prepared for college work."
"We must get the Department of Education to work better with CUNY to get these students prepared, and we must make sure students are aware of their options," she said.
The rally comes days before two of college fairs take place at The Armory Track and Field Center, where hundreds of college-hopeful students are expected to attend.
"It's time to roll up our sleeves and get these young people into college," Rodriguez said.
The Armory College Fair will take place Saturday, May 21, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at The Armory Track & Field Center at 216 Fort Washington Ave.
The SUNY College Fair will take place at the same location on Sunday, May 22, from noon until 5 p.m.
