Comments on: Devaluation of the College Degree

By: 09allin

09allin — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:49:29 +0000

I think we need to be careful when we say that “euduspeak” means that disadvantaged equals dummies and slackers. That sounds an awful lot like a Limbaugh-ism! One of the differences between our educational system and those of many other countries is that we offer/try to educate everyone. Many countries do not even offer education to all of their populatios. That makes it very difficult to even start to compare the various systems. A suggestion. Take a look at educational efforts around the world and get the data for real comparisons. Try reading some nuetral authors such as Friedman or Gladwell to get a perspective on education. Education in our country, at least public urban districts, have been on trouble for long time. This is not a new phenomena. Part of the answer would be in examining systems and eliminating waste, and aligning educational practices with goal achivement. Part of the problem is that no one believes that their child is contributing to the problem. the attitude toward education has changed radically in the last 25 years. People ALL think that their child is above average and that anything the child says is the truth! Question. when is the last time YOU supported you local educational institute when your child wasn’t up to standards? Successful education involves the school staff, the child participating, AND the parents beingo ctively involved in the childs education. Many schools at all levels are treated as if they have the sole responsibility for the child. Parents treat K through 12, and beyond, as drop off babysitting services. I knwo that your blog is about government spending, but the educational crises is huge in this country and everyone needs to recognize their part in starting to correct it.

By: MasterPo

MasterPo — Wed, 13 May 2009 03:27:02 +0000

CJ – And what if a drop out doesn’t pay? Is the gov going to go after them? Before you say “YES!”, will that be applied equally and imparitally? Will an illegal Mexican for example be pursued as hard as you or I? Don’t bet on it…

By: cjbr549

cjbr549 — Mon, 11 May 2009 15:15:36 +0000

A couple of points. If you go about it smartly, you can get an education in something that will actually get you a job (Engineering, Law, Medicine, etc.) at an in state public school without breaking the bank. But that is difficult and not very glamorous. What I find conspicuously missing from the Obominator’s plan is the stick. I find from personal experience that the stick is as great a motivator as the carrot and when combined they are extremely effective. I think that if you take this money to go to school, there should be some downside to dropping out as soon as you have the money spent. Having to pay that money back would certainly help the completion rate (as well as cutting down on the number of applicants to begin with). So maybe instead of a Pell grant, it would be a Pell loan that is given forbearance until degree completion or dropout. Upon dropout the payments would start, and upon degree completion the loan would be forgiven (turned into a grant). And by the way, the only way to get out of paying besides graduating is to die. That would ensure that only those with the drive and determination to actually get a degree would wind up benefiting from our tax dollars.

By: Mr. ToughMoneyLove

Mr. ToughMoneyLove — Mon, 11 May 2009 12:26:54 +0000

Kathy – I am not against higher education. One of my sons has graduated, one has just finished his sophomore year, the third is taking a school break to work and figure out what he wants to study. I disagree with government control of higher education which is what Obama is targeting with his Pell Grant entitlement program. He also believes everyone should go to college. I don’t.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Mon, 11 May 2009 09:08:39 +0000

Mr. TML I am under the impression that you are against higher education in general. You had mentioned in previous posts that you have 3 children, I assume none of them are college educated……

By: Rick Beagle

Rick Beagle — Mon, 11 May 2009 07:29:07 +0000

Arrrghhh! If only I had been born a few years later…. All that work could have been replaced with some really good partying!

By: Mr. ToughMoneyLove

Mr. ToughMoneyLove — Mon, 11 May 2009 03:41:22 +0000

MasterPo – I tried to make your point. Colleges wanting students receiving Pell Grants will need to do whatever is necessary to increase graduation rates, even if it means just handing out diplomas for showing up.