Politicians get a lot of mileage out of support for “free” college tuition; it plays really well with the millennial crowd and aspiring college students who are facing significant financial barriers to college entry, and if anyone is listening to proposals coming from the current presidential campaign, there are actually some pretty good ideas, primarily from Republicans, on plans to make higher education more affordable. The core of these proposals is the reduction and simplifying of the federal government’s role in it.
These proposals include plans ranging from allowing private investors to finance college costs in exchange for a share of future student income, to more transparency on linkage between colleges and the success of their graduates, to the deregulation of the accreditation of higher education institutions, to the replacement of the various college loan programs and tax credits with a new federal line of credit plan with repayment tied to a percentage of income.
These and other ideas should be considered seriously and they and education issues generally are not getting much play in these sandbox fights that pass for presidential debates, but I want to make another point: the major problem is not the control of the growth of tuition, because this is not the primary barrier to student access to higher education and success once they get there.
The primary barrier is student postsecondary readiness. Our PreK-12 public education system is simply doing a miserable job of producing college and meaningful career readiness. In fact, in Texas, over 50% of high school graduates must take remedial courses when applying for community college. And we have a new ambitious higher education completion plan for the state called “60X30”, which means 60% college graduates by the year 2030, but the elementary and secondary school readiness pipeline to move this percentage from its current 38% is simply not in place, and this deficiency applies generally across the nation. This lack of readiness is the barrier to success that should be our primary focus, not so-called “free” college.
Researchers from the Center for American Progress released in January a study examining the effects of a state’s commitment to standards-based reform (as measured by clear standards, assessments aligned to those standards, and whether a state sanctions low-performing schools) on low-income student test scores measuring reading and math achievement on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) exams from 2003 to 2013. Not surprisingly, the results indicated that states ranked highest in commitment to standards-based reform had stronger gains in NAEP scores, while low-income students in those states ranked lowest in this commitment did worse.
And yet, almost everywhere you look we are busy lowering standards and expectations in our public education accountability system! Go figure.
Jim,
Yes, primary education is in serious disrepair in our nation. Graduation from high school once meant a young adult was prepared to engage the world as a productive citizen, mindful of civic duties and personally responsible for his or her success. The great thinkers of Western Civilization were introduced in high school and the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic were, with exceptions, mastered by the vast majority of students.
You did not address our folly of claiming all must have a college education to be successful in life. The trades and crafts are essential in all societies and ought be regarded with a respect equal to that rendered to the scholastic path, having gradations as the practice and performance would deserve.
Actually, the number of American college freshman who can’t qualify for college math or English courses is 70%. And SAT average scores have been dropping for the last 40 years. When you go to a restaurant in America today 30% of the patrons cannot read the menu.
It is the failure of education, but it is at the K-3 level. American educators do not teach phonics, the only reliable path to reading, spelling and analytical thinking. Maybe phonics- lite, but NOT complete phonics.
The answer is simple, but not easy because today’s teacher don’t KNOW phonics, therefore they can’t teach it. Legislators, administrators and boards are powerless against organized teacher unions.
Sadly, my suggestion is : homeschool your kids and grandkids. Read the book “Why Johnny Can’t Read.” You will learn everything you need to get the job done.
I realize that perhaps times have changed but I came from a low income family in government housing. It took me 7 years to get my degree because I worked and saved money, went back to school and worked part time while I was there. There was no money to borrow and if you wanted it you worked for it. That, sadly, is not the case any more. I also learned in life that if you borrowed it you paid it back.
I also agree that not all young people are destined to college and the trades are a better way to a better life. Trades are an admirable vocation and we all have to depend on the plumber, electrician, mechanic etc. and most likely always will.