College Sucks

1. �College Sucks�

2. PAF 101 �Two-thirds of the things that are taught in college, even when they are well taught, are not worth knowing. The main thing is to learn the differences between appearances and reality.�

3. Good News Note: Show this and suggest that it seems to be pretty clear cut. According to the Postsecondary Education Opportunity, March 1999, p 3-4, a male receives $22.18 back for every dollar invested in a college education or $927,000 over a 40 year career while a female gets back only $13.29. Actually, the rate of return is between 11.8% and 13.9% which is not that much above current stock investments.Note: Show this and suggest that it seems to be pretty clear cut. According to the Postsecondary Education Opportunity, March 1999, p 3-4, a male receives $22.18 back for every dollar invested in a college education or $927,000 over a 40 year career while a female gets back only $13.29. Actually, the rate of return is between 11.8% and 13.9% which is not that much above current stock investments.

4. College As An Investment: Mixed Rate of return ranges between 11.8% and 13.3%, about as much as current stock investments

5. Lack of Job Preparation �90% of college graduates reported that their degree was useful in getting a job but did not prepare them with the necessary skills to succeed in the workplace.� Chronicle of Higher Education, 10/15/2004 80% of employers say that students are not prepared for the workforce (Survey by Duffey Communications, 2005)

6. Higher Ed and the Economy More people with college degrees, the less the wage differential DOL says 29% of all new jobs and 21% of all jobs to come available in this decade require college degrees Wage differential between HS and BA has not grown very much since 1990.

7. Bad News Note: There is widespread belief that colleges do very little to prepare students to be constructive citizens of society. Ask for student feedback.Note: There is widespread belief that colleges do very little to prepare students to be constructive citizens of society. Ask for student feedback.

8. Really Bad News Note: Those with the highest family income are 10 times more likely to have a bachelor�s degree by age 24 than those wit the lowest. 29% African=American students and 31% Hispanic leave after completing their first year. Aid policies based in the 1970�s help to close the gaps, but in the mid 90�s, it was wider than ever. Policies in the 80�s and 90�s have in part been responsible for merit scholarships, savings and prepaid tuition, and tuition tax credits. But income is also related to higher SAT scores and academic performance and to education of parents.Note: Those with the highest family income are 10 times more likely to have a bachelor�s degree by age 24 than those wit the lowest. 29% African=American students and 31% Hispanic leave after completing their first year. Aid policies based in the 1970�s help to close the gaps, but in the mid 90�s, it was wider than ever. Policies in the 80�s and 90�s have in part been responsible for merit scholarships, savings and prepaid tuition, and tuition tax credits. But income is also related to higher SAT scores and academic performance and to education of parents.

9. Social and Economic Downside Note: Note:

10. Why Do Policies Support College? When 60% don�t graduate When less than 30% of jobs require college When colleges don�t prepare students for the workforce ANSWER�Because the middle and upper middle class want it that way.

11. Public Policy Actions to Make High Education Work for the Public Good Federal Government pinpoint financial aid for students to where there are job shortages Federal Government Require Accountability for Learning Outcomes Federal government provide grants to colleges that give credit for extensive community service