The Low Quality of Higher Education?

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2010/02/26/Debate_Education_and_the_Economy

A panel of experts discusses grade inflation and other perceived problems with America's education system. Michael Lomax, President and CEO of the United Negro College Fund, argues for regulating accreditation more tightly, while former Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings cautions that universities have adopted a "send us the money and leave us alone approach."

In order, the speakers are: George Leef, Richard Vedder, Margaret Spellings, and Michael Lomax.

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The rapid growth of China, India, Brazil and other emerging powers has dramatically altered the complexion of the global economy in recent years. At the same time, rising deficits, high trade imbalances, a declining dollar, and a lingering economic downturn have placed America's position within the global economy in peril-and have policymakers deliberating over the keys to America's economic future.

One area often cited as critical to the nation's future economic strength is higher education, particularly that America must dramatically increase the number of college-educated citizens to remain a leading economic power. - Miller Center of Public Affairs

George Leef is Director of Research at the John William Pope Center for Higher Education Policy in Raleigh, NC. He was previously on the faculty of Northwood University and a policy adviser in the Michigan Senate.

Richard Vedder is the Director of the Center for College Affordability and Productivity--an independent higher education think tank in Washington, DC. He is also Distinguished Professor of Economics at Ohio University and an adjunct scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.

Margaret Spellings, U.S. Secretary of Education from 2005 to 2009, is the President and CEO of Margaret Spellings and Company and a leading national expert in public policy. Spellings also serves as Senior Advisor to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Executive Vice President of the National Chamber Foundation, and Senior Advisor to the Boston Consulting Group.

Michael Lomax is the President and CEO of the United Negro College Fund-the nation's largest and most effective minority education organization.

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[abyssquick]

The future = Welcome to remedial creationism 101

[marsCubed]

The quality issue is so crucial.

Japan for instance realized that although it was producing very well trained scientists, they were not able to innovate.

They introduced Art into the science curriculum for this reason.

In Northern Europe too, the emphasis is on well rounded education, it makes for flexibility and innovation also.

Just producing workers for industry has limited benefits as economies and needs change hugely over a lifetime

Having knowledge in a number of areas makes the difference

[happinesson]

government must govern schools and institutions to have a high standard of education..

[tvswnet]

@smb723 Either way, what meaning is there behind B or B+?

[tvswnet]

Accreditation is a good idea but poorly executed...courses should be accredited, or programs of study...not institutions...especially since the accreditation is transferable, and these big companies are buying up accredited universities but dropping their programs. The corporate mass-production colleges are destroying education, like corporate mass-production has destroyed everything else. The current cost/profit-based paradigm cannot be saved, nor should it be...time for a new model, folks.

[smb723]

a 3.2 is not "almost" a B+. It's just a B.

[latinamajor]

You forgot languages.

In order to graduate in my program, I had to pass a series of comprehensive exams (one in Latin and the other in Ancient Greek). Each exam was three hours long and consisted, entirely, of site passages. There is simply no way to fake your way through an examination like that.

[cwieand]

Join a movement to expose the problems with today's colleges. Type in Reform Higher Education Now in the search box on Facebook and push for change.

[imblessedso]

@ajames95

Not according to the Harvard statistics cited on Manfield's other interview with Robinson entitled "the Left on Campus", or atleast not inflated to anywhere near the same extent.

[ajames95]

All of this is why all education should be free. Cut defense spending & use the money for a free education system from K-PhD. This would allow students, faculty, & administrators to be accountable. If someone fails, oh well, they have to waste more time in school until they pass. Also, have tiered professorships. Some are instructors, some researchers & some both. Only allow intramural sports & spin-off a minor league system using the intercollegiate system now, b/c that's what it actually is.

[13SuperKings]

Quailty of college sucks in california.

[centurion180ad]

@Rockynurse What in the Hell use is a measure of potential student productivity, when all our factories have been disassembled and shipped to communist china at taxpayer’s expense?

We pay, and pay, and pay with each breath for the benefit-privilege of having our economic lives destroyed before our very eyes. I was awarded a B.S. in Physics, and it wasn't worth the vellum it was printed on. Many engineers from my school fared little better, and never became valued in their field.