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As a father of a graduating senior, I think many kids see multiple opportunities available to them that don’t come with a mountain of debt. Whether college, trades, military, or just taking a gap year, there are many accepted pathways to success nowadays. It is articles like this that keep the fake narrative alive that college is the only/best pathway to success. Until these liberal institutions rethink their ROI statement, we will continue to see other alternatives offered and gaining popularity.
College IS too expensive in many cases. But is a gap year really a pathway to success? Please. The military is a noble choice and, for some, it can turn into a solid financial decision in the long run. Trades are totally solid. I don’t know anyone that thinks college is the only pathway to success. You’re overstating the point. But go right ahead and cheer on a falling rate of college attendance. This is Indiana, after all!
Good – there is over a trillion dollars in outstanding student loan debt thanks to the false idea that a college degree is for everybody and 2nd and 3rd rate schools letting in loads of leveraged up but underqualified students in, which is used to fund the bloated administrative ranks. It would be a net plus for our society if higher ed went through some major pain and was forced to cut useless jobs and degrees and more high school graduates sought out alternative paths for careers.
$1.75T to be more exact. That’s TRILLION dollars. Given the state of the economy, ridiculous cost of tuition, and good available jobs right now I wouldn’t even glance at colleges if I was a high school senior. A gap year = the ROI of attending college isn’t there anymore.
I too challenge the author’s concern that a traditional college degree is the only way to judge growth & success. I personally encourage many youths who are talented “do-ers” (as opposed to book learners) to find a skilled Trade and join an apprentice program, thus *making money* while they learn increasingly valuable job skills. Not everyone needs a mountain of college debt and a middle management career. Folks don’t generally know that many union apprentice programs provide enough training to earn an Associates degree upon graduating to Journeyman. Additionally, we have such a massive shortage of skilled workers, that their earnings keep rising. (Ask any Electrician, Operator, or HVAC technician!) There is great honor and respect in working with one’s hands. It’s frustrating to read opinion articles diminishing that.
I am enthused that the IEDC is working hard to bring growth to Indiana. However, I challenge the “College is the only way” crowd: Who do you think will be relied upon to physically build all these new technology complexes?
Southern states are exploding with economic development expansions.
I seriously doubt their educational system was or is any better than ours.
In fact Southern states had weaker K through 12 educational systems than the
Northern states for a very long time. But it hasn’t stop them
from attracting major economic expansions.
In my opinion, higher education (generally-speaking) has not been innovative enough to meet the needs of post-secondary students. They embrace that learning is lifelong, but still seem to want it to take place in the same square sequences and formats that they have always offered. Yes, most seems to be pursuing online offerings. But, that often seems to be the only change in format. They need more flexibility, more relevance, more real-world application, and to be much much cheaper. There will always be a place for brick and mortar campuses, but they aren’t needed to the extent they once were. So, why do we as a state keep funding them the way we always have. Additionally, they are expensive. Why don’t they sell continuous learning subscriptions to individuals and employers? Also, they need to issue credentials that aren’t as stodgy and obtuse as degrees, but are more relevant and therefore just as meaningful as traditional degrees. Also, we don’t need as many of them. Take a look at the outcomes data of some of our state schools, and you should be furious! With notable exceptions, on-time completion, and salaries post graduation are pitiful. Each school has a story to tell, and some sort of success story or successful program or field. Fine. Then why don’t they take an axe to that which they are perennially failing at? Bottom line: they need to be more innovative, or else they deserve the disruption that’s taking place. They shouldn’t forget that the need for higher education is not the same as higher education as an institution.
Which article did most of you read? with comments like “I challenge the author’s concern that a traditional college degree is the only way to judge growth & success.” and “It is articles like this that keep the fake narrative alive that college is the only/best pathway to success.”
This article provides statements and statistics, yes some of the statements are from the ‘Commission for Higher Education’ and of course they are pushing for more students to pursue post-secondary degrees. I agree that tuition and fees at state Universities are too high for most people to afford, and I think it’s agreed that some restructuring is needed.
However, the lack of ability for most of the folks here to process this information without seeing as a binary choice (yes/no, good/bad, black/white) or turning it into a negative attack on people who work in higher education is sad. Could it be possible that the high tech jobs need more education? Could it be that the ‘southern states’ bring in big manufacturing plants by giving huge tax incentives to global companies only to learn that the employees with only a HS diploma aren’t making enough to raise a young family a few years later?
Could it be that our K-12 education system has failed to prepare the people who don’t succeed in attaining a degree, which resulted in drop-out and debt without ROI?