The cost
of maintaining our public schools, private schools, colleges and universities
is unsustainable. Most college-bound
students are headed to their less expensive 2 year community colleges to save
money.
US
college student have amassed a $1 trillion debt in student loans with Sallie
Mae over the past decade. This is further delaying their ability to follow any
path to prosperity that comes even close to their parents’ ability to be
self-supporting. Too many college grads continue in the low-wage jobs they had
as students.
Most
college grads who received occupationally related degrees were able find
employment that paid the going rate for entry to these occupations. They had
degrees in accounting, engineering, physics, math, software development,
computer science, chemistry, law, medicine, nursing, dental hygiene, medical
technology and education were able to find jobs that reflect their degrees.
Teachers
with additional degrees in math, science, foreign languages, English, history,
biology and chemistry sport management and theater could find teaching jobs.
Those
with associate degrees in electronics, plumbing, electrical and construction
found jobs.
The
addition of degrees like Criminal Justice, Homeland Security gave Police a path
to promotion.
Those who
received BS degrees in English, Philosophy, History, Sociology, Psychology, Social
Work etc. had to complete to law school or graduate school to find related
jobs.
Those who
received BS degrees in film and media studies, art, theater, etc. could find
jobs if they were good at these areas.
Those who
chose majors without a direct occupational link and who lack talent or basic
skills continue to struggle.
The
phenomenon of unqualified degreed graduates appeared in the 1980s, when we saw
MBAs continuing to work in clerical jobs. Most employers were quick to realize
that many college grads were really not qualified. I had to test and reference
check all applicants to find out what they actually knew. I only hired the
applicants who could demonstrate that they knew their stuff.
The most
destructive thing that colleges and universities did was to offer
non-occupational degrees. These were degrees that had no occupational value.
There were the political reactionary degrees like Black Studies, Women’s
Studies, American Sign Language, Anthropology and Sociology.
Business
Administration grads found jobs as sales reps and there were the almost
business related degrees like Economics, International Business and Marketing,
For those
without talent, there were the hobby degrees like art, art history, etc.
Those
students who studied biology and environmental science fiction will find fewer
jobs available since global warming is considered to be a scam. This should
also result in less government support for environmental research. If we can
get the politics out of the science, there may be a path forward.
Colleges
and universities are on the cusp of a downturn, because the value of the
degrees they offer to the bulk of their students is less than the cost.
Saving
K-12 education depends on getting the federal government completely out of the
education business. They have turned
K-12 into a political propaganda machine.
Parents
and teachers need to be in charge of the curriculum. Students will have to take
responsibility for their own education and should concentrate on identifying
what they’re good at and what they love to do.
Drug
addiction needs to be eradicated in K-12. ADD is over-diagnosed and students
and parents need to lay off the pills and up the vitamins and minerals.
Norb
Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader
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