Saving US Education

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