More academically adrift...

Those responsible for the book Academically Adrift, which gathered a fair bit of media attention last year are back with more. From The Chronicle of Higher Education:

... the data actually show two distinct populations of undergraduates. Some students, disproportionately from privileged backgrounds, matriculate well prepared for college. They are given challenging work to do and respond by learning a substantial amount in four years.

Other students graduate from mediocre or bad high schools and enroll in less-selective colleges that don't challenge them academically. They learn little. Some graduate anyway, if they're able to manage the bureaucratic necessities of earning a degree.

And, in turn, those students in the second group - who account for most of those in higher education - don't really seem to exhibit the same post-educational gains seen by those in the first group.