Education dream deferred

AJC Special Report: Rewriting the American Dream

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By Tammy Joyner

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A year ago, 19-year-old Shaneka Williams had her heart set on going to Clark Atlanta University. She had a scholarship waiting, but no transportation.

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Joey Ivansco, jivansco@ajc.com Shaneka Williams works three days a week at Advocares Child Services in Stone Mountain.

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Now almost a year out of high school, the Lithonia resident still hasn’t made it to Clark. She came close earlier this year when an Atlanta attorney offered her a job after hearing about her situation.

But two weeks into the job, Williams totaled the family car and her chances of getting to work, let alone to Clark. Williams has had the Atlanta college in her sights since she learned she and other classmates in the Head Start pre-school program she attended were eligible for a college scholarship to Clark if they finished high school.

For now though, “Everything is pretty much in a standstill because I don’t have my vehicle,” said Williams, who continues to take online courses through Georgia Perimeter College. Going to school online increasingly appears to be a trend among young people.

“It’s tough for a lot of kids to get to college,” said Williams, who wasn’t available for a more-detailed interview. “My best friend is taking online courses because she doesn’t have the transportation to get there either.”