Similar to secondary education, higher education often suffers backlash regarding its ability to effectively educate students. The results of a new study concluded that an alarming number of college students did not show any significant improvement in fundamental abilities that should be developed through higher education, such as critical thinking, complex reasoning, and writing. Findings about learning style and performance can be summarized by concluding that “students who study along and have heavier reading and writing loads do well,” so nontraditional learning methods like online education where students work mostly independently may actually be more efficient toward student progress.
It has become more popular now than ever before to earn a college degree online. According to a report by the Sloan Consortium, over 5.6 million people were enrolled in at least one online course during the fall semester of 2009. The popularity of online learning is predicated to continue growing in the future as more and more students take advantage of the benefits that online education presents over traditional learning in a ground school.
Although unemployment rates are high across the country, they are significantly lower among college graduates than those who do not hold a college degree. For high school graduates, unemployment is at 10 percent and for college graduates, 5.1 percent. Overall, 9.8 percent of the American population is unemployed. This data presents the fact that higher education equals a higher likelihood of employment. But, unfortunately, the equation is not that simple.
According to a new survey, 90% of young alumni feel positive about their education experience and think that a college education is worth the investment. The American Council on Education, the organization which commissioned the survey, asked young college-alumni questions about their education experience and their overall satisfaction. Hundreds of alumni from twenty-two participating two and four-year colleges and universities between the ages of 25 to 39 were chosen randomly to participate in the poll.
Is President Obama’s ambitious goal of producing 8 million more college graduates by 2020 feasible? And, if so, how will the United States’ education system meet this lofty challenge? The challenge can be met, say the results of a new report issued by three higher-education agencies, but meeting the goal will require an unyielding commitment from education leaders and state and federal authorities. And, instead of just discussing how it can be accomplished as has been the case for several months, government and education leaders will need to take action.
The benefits of higher education often have to do with career success and economic wealth. But earning a college degree can also have an impact on your love life, according to a new report released by The National Marriage Project.
In the past, the quality of higher education institutions was associated with their tuition rate. Students from low-income families were often unable to receive a college education at all, and the prestige associated with an expensive school provided bragging rights for wealthy families. The logic may have been that a higher cost to students was associated with a school spending more money on resources like libraries, building and construction costs, or higher salaries to compensate more qualified instructors. Theodore Long, president at Elizabethtown College, recalls one retired college president telling him that in order to better the reputation of his school in the 1970’s, he simply raised tuition.
With increasing tuition costs decreasing access to higher education for many students, the Center for College Affordability and Productivity has been working to compile and publish a report that will detail twenty-five ways for college administrators and state and national governments to lower the cost of college. Skyrocketing tuition costs have been at the forefront of the education reform discussion and with college and university tuition inflation rising at almost double the rate of general inflation; students are calling for change.
The U.S. education system has been criticized recently for failing to adequately prepare students for higher education and for poor high school and college graduation rates. The nation’s high school graduation rate, which has been on a downward spiral for the “latter part of the 20th century,” may finally be making a comeback. A report published by America’s Promise Alliance, a non-profit organization established by former Secretary of State Colin Powell, shows that graduation rates among U.S. high schools have increased by 3% from 2002.
It’s no secret that our national unemployment rate remains at a staggeringly high 9.6%. But, say experts, if you want to beat the status quo and secure a well-paying job in tough economic times- you have to stay in or return to school.