Measuring Up 2006: The National Report Card on Higher Education, a study by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, underscores what a September 2006 New York Times editorial characterized as "ominous trends."
Ominous as in distressing.
“The report card’s findings challenge the notion that the American higher education system is still the ‘best in the world,’” says Governor James B. Hunt Jr., former governor of North Carolina and chair of the National Center’s board of directors:
In such key areas as college access and completion, the U.S. has made little or no progress, while other countries have made substantial gains. Our country must not remain satisfied with past achievements or reputation; we can and must mobilize our nation, our states, and our colleges for success in this global competition.
So how bad could it be?
- The US is number two (behind Canada) in the proportion of adults aged 35 to 64 with a college degree. But the US ranks seventh (behind Canada, Japan, Korea, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Belgium) in the proportion of 25- to 34-year-olds with a college degree.
- Even in the best-performing states, only 67% of students in four-year institutions complete degrees within six years of enrolling.
- The likelihood of a 9th grader enrolling in college four years later is now less than 40%.
- Since 1982, the price of college has far outstripped price increases in other sectors of the economy – including health care. Over these years, median family income increased 127% while college tuition and fees rose 375%.
- 43 states received an F in affordability of higher education. The proportion of family income needed to pay college costs at public four-year colleges (net after all student financial aid) has grown from 28% to 42% in Ohio; from 24% to 37% in New Jersey; from 18% to 30% in Iowa; from 25% to 36% in Oregon; and from 20% to 31% in Washington.
On the subject of preparing US workers Measuring Up concludes that US education does not:
The American workforce is projected to grow much more slowly during the first decades of the 21st century than it has since World War II, with a predicted increase of only about three million prime-age workers through 2020—in contrast to the 35 million added between 1980 and 2000.
When in comes to the economy, higher education is the horse we rode in on. It appears we have decided to eat that horse and continue on foot. But I feel sure that won’t end badly – I mean, how could it; this is America.
Comments (2)
Higher Ed
I am college educated and have a graduate degree as well. I certainly believe in the value of education. Having said that, I have noticed in the information technology field, that a four year degree is not as prized as it is in some other fields. There are a lot of folks who have training from areas other than universities. Perhaps the universities should evaluate what and how they teach. Along those lines, did you see the article today that quotes a study saying that MBA students are the biggest cheaters in grad school? The article also suggests that cheating is rampant on undergrad campuses as well. Their analysis of why the cheating occurs and how to stop it is interesting.
Higher Ed
Thanks for pointing me to the cheating article - I hadn’t seen it. You make a good point: showing up to school isn’t the same thing as learning anything.
I’ve been told that the root of the verb "to teach" means "to draw out." If that’s true, it’s little wonder we’re so upside down since, practically, we tend to treat teaching as a process of "pouring in" not "drawing out" - especially in primary, secondary and undergraduate education. It’s no wonder then if a person reaches graduate school with an un-enhanced capacity for deep thinking. At which point cheating must seem like a survival skill. I’m convinced we can do better, starting from the beginning.