Introduction
The author of the article is Brink Lindsey, the Vice President for research at the Cato Institute. In the article, “Culture of Success”, the author depicts different matters in the education system, for example, the financial problem which affects students and the rate of success of several cultural groups in various colleges. The main purpose of the article was to inform the readers on matters relating to children education in America. The purpose of the article is also to inform the readers on factors that influence children performance in schools. Lindsey acknowledges and anticipates various opinions. The author examines all likely matters, that may have an impact on individual’s academic performance, for example, shortage of skills, sufficient practice, socioeconomic status of the family, social order, and the impact of the parental education. However, the article lacks references, personal opinion, conclusion, and lacks symbolic diagrams for presentation. While this article gives various evidence showing that lack of funds as the most significant explanation for why poor children do not go to college, there are other factors that can also hinder those children from going to college.
Critique
Lindsey acknowledges and anticipates various opinions relating to children education. According to the author, Lower-income Americans fail to go to college despite the fact that there are incentives for them to go. Insufficient money is the main explanation for why lower-income students do not go to school, but, additional subsidies to the children will be beneficial to the children (Lindsey pg.1). Lower-income children also go to under-funded collages that provide poor quality education. However, the abilities that students bring with them to school is more significant than school programs the article also acknowledges the importance of involvement of children in conversation. The article states that, simple talks and involvement of children on various topics is very important for them to express different opinions. Lindsey also brought another matter relating to socioeconomic status of the family; rich parents, invest more money in their children, hence helping them get higher grades. Furthermore, the author brings in the issue of encouragement for children growth and development.
Lindsey discussed a significant topic relating to education system and children performance, however the article is quite vague. it has adequate and affectionate confirmation to demonstrate the implication of cultural background in children’s academics, however, it lacks personal opinion and specific conclusion. Lindsey did not recapitulate what he said in the main argument to suggest to the audience that he have achieved what he set out to achieve. Perhaps, Lindsey wished to leave it like that to demonstrate that the issue is not yet solved.
The author evidence is not convincing. The author did not provide reference for his evidence. He did not acknowledge the opinions and contribution of other researchers and authors in his work, which means that, he did not give credit to the authors from whom he had borrowed ideas and words. Referencing an article with a particular scholar means to respect and acknowledge the property rights of that author. Lack of evidence will, therefore reduce the credibility of the article.
The use of statistical data in “Culture of Success” is very important as it convinces the readers on the various matter in the article, however, most of the statistical data in the article are not UpToDate. For example, the author compares children from rich and poor families who enrolled in college in the year 2003 (Lindsey pg.1). “In 2006, 34 percent of white Americans aged 25-26 held college degrees, compared to 19 percent of African Americans and only 10 percent”. The article, therefore do not provide latest information to the reader.
Lindsey uses various statistical data to prove different arguments, however, he fails to represent his data in symbolic diagrams. Lindsey fails to present his data in charts or graphs. Charts or graphs help readers make sense of the data and comprehend the data quickly. For instance, lack of presentation of data for different years will hinder readers from getting clear understanding of the data and compare the data with other data.
I agree to a few opinions in the article. For example, I agree with the idea that children need encouragement to boost their performance. It is true that students who receive words of encouragement from successful graduates would be more likely to prosper. I agree with point that, children of lower income earners would mostly hear discouraging rather than encouraging words from their parents. According to me, children need encouragement and if parents or guidance seize to encourage their children, they will possibly not perform well in school. I also agree with the opinion that lower income children go to under-funded colleges that provide poor quality education. The point is very true because most of these children cannot afford well-equipped colleges.
Conclusion
Lindsey shares various information and evidence relating to education system and children performances. However, this article lacks credibility as the author do not provide reference for the opinion and contribution of other writers. Furthermore, the article is not reliable because it does not provide up to date information. The article is also not clear because the author does not provide personal opinion and conclusion of the research. Future research and writing on the same topic with a clear conclusion, personal opinion and references is necessary to provide clear understanding of the issue.
References
Lindsey, B. Culture of Success. New Republic (2008) 1-3