More college grads needed?

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Thursday, October 26. 2017

More college grads needed?

Derek Bok thinks so. I don't think so, but I am in favor of more rigorous secondary ed. Leef comments:

The real problem here is that a great many young Americans don’t really want an education. They want college fun and they want a degree as long as it doesn’t put much of a burden on them. And since other people are paying for their schooling, why put much effort into it? The education system is giving them what they want. If and to the extent that Americans start wanting education and having to pay for it, things will change from the bottom up.

A young person I know recently transferred from Colorado State to UConn. Business major. Says at Colorado there was too much weed, he never cracked a book and got straight As by listening in class. At UConn, has to study every night and can't keep up - and UConn is far from an elite institution. Mediocre at best but they love basketball.

To me, it's no longer clear what "college grad" means. Is it adolescent daycare?

Posted by The Barrister in Education at 14:27 | Comments (7) | Trackbacks (0)

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Anyone with a degree from Col. State should sue for a refund.

Might start a trend.

#1 Claritas on 2017-10-26 16:09 (Reply)

A young person I know recently transferred from Colorado State to UConn. Business major. Says at Colorado there was too much weed, he never cracked a book and As by listening in class. At UConn, has to study every night and can't keep up..
That says something good about UConn.

and UConn is far from an elite institution. Mediocre at best but they love basketball.
The national exposure UConn has gotten from basketball has resulted in more national attention and in better students coming to UConn.Average SATs for incoming freshmen went from 1028 in 1995 to 1234 in 2014.

Looking at the improved SAT scores- up 200 points in two decades- Jim Calhoun and Geno Auriemma earned every dollar they were paid.

#2 Gringo on 2017-10-26 16:58 (Reply)

As the linked article points out, the UConn 2000 infrastructure improvement- $1 billion worth- which the legislature passed in 1995, had an effect on the improved SAT scores. Dumpy buildings do not help convince students to come. Conversely, an attractive campus with up-to-date facilities helps draw students.
Geno's first NCAA championship in 1995 helped convince the legislature to pass UConn 2000. One may not like that psychology, but there it is.

#2.1 Gringo on 2017-10-26 17:13 (Reply)

Three degree experiences: 1989 BA, 1992 MSLS, 2011 BS. I can say with hesitation that college at the undergrad level has turned into something far less academically rigorous than a private high school was mid 1980s.

#3 Boone on 2017-10-26 17:44 (Reply)

I won't say that kids don't want to learn, but they mostly just want a degree and a good job.

As to the young person you know, there are always people like that (largely I was one except for the studying part. I love learning, but I don't have the focus for studying).

#4 William O. B'Livion on 2017-10-26 23:18 (Reply)

Three quick comments:
1) Gringo is absolutely right about the cause and effect of rising SATs at UConn. I have firsthand knowledge of this.
2) Rising SAT scores and declining academic rigor are not mutually exclusive. This, too, is firsthand knowledge.
3) Derek Bok is a fatuous ass. The smug, it burns.

#5 Gpc31 on 2017-10-27 00:14 (Reply)

1) Gringo is absolutely right about the cause and effect of rising SATs at UConn. I have firsthand knowledge of this.
Do tell.

2) Rising SAT scores and declining academic rigor are not mutually exclusive. This, too, is firsthand knowledge.
It is very difficult to get into the Ivy League, but also very difficult to flunk out, so I am told. Though Dick Cheney might have a contrary opinion.
There is also the nationwide trend of college grades rising- at least outside STEM.

#5.1 Gringo on 2017-10-27 06:18 (Reply)

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Thursday, October 26. 2017

More college grads needed?