On Wednesday, February 2, The Graduate School of Education at Harvard
University's Pathways to Prosperity Project published a report,
which recommends that the United States broaden its approach to higher
education.
On Wednesday, February 2, The Graduate School of Education at Harvard
University's Pathways to Prosperity Project published a report,
which recommends that the United States broaden its approach to higher
education. Future of Children volumes on Transition
to Adulthood and America's
High Schools discuss in greater detail a range of programs from work
training to high school college preparatory programs that have already shown evidence-based
success.
On Wednesday, February 2, The Graduate School of Education at Harvard
University's Pathways to Prosperity Project published a report,
which recommends that the United States broaden its approach to higher
education. Future of Children volumes on Transition
to Adulthood and America's
High Schools discuss in greater detail a range of programs from work
training to high school college preparatory programs that have already shown evidence-based
success. The Future of
Children provides research and analysis on the most important issues facing
children, from poverty
to electronic
media, to childhood
obesity, and of course, to education.
On Wednesday, February 2, The Graduate School of Education at Harvard
University's Pathways to Prosperity Project published a report,
which recommends that the United States broaden its approach to higher
education.
Four-year college is not the only means by which to achieve success in
adulthood, the report says. "While the United States is expected to create 47
million jobs in the 10-year period ending in 2018, only a third of these jobs
will require a bachelor's or higher degree. Almost as many jobs - some 30
percent - will only require an associate's degree or a post-secondary
occupational credential." The study
recommends identifying career fields of interest early on, and then creating
pathways by which students can learn the skills they need to succeed in those
occupations, some of which involve a bachelor's degree and some of which do not.
So what does it mean, now, to put "higher education within the reach of
every American," as Obama mentioned in his State
of the Union address?
It means that we must simultaneously focus on preparing students for
four-year colleges, while also providing more opportunities for vocational
training and access to community colleges. It means that we must provide a
quality of education and a level of information about post-secondary
opportunities that gives all students the knowledge and support they need to
discern the career path that is best for them.
Fortunately, we have some research on what works. Future of Children volumes on Transition
to Adulthood and America's
High Schools discuss in greater detail a range of programs from work
training to high school college preparatory programs that have already shown evidence-based
success.
There are no simple solutions, but it is helpful to have information on
what we believe is effective. The Future of
Children provides research and analysis on the most important issues facing
children, from poverty
to electronic
media, to childhood
obesity, and of course, to education.