OT-Credible alternatives for students

Azotic · 2010-05-18T09:05:18+00:00

A small but influential group of economists and educators is pushing another pathway: for some students, no college at all. It's time, they say, to develop credible alternatives for students unlikely to be successful pursuing a higher degree, or who may not be ready to do so.Whether everyone in college needs to be there is not a new question; the subject has been hashed out in books and dissertations for years. But the economic crisis has sharpened that focus, as financially struggling states cut aid to higher education.Among those calling for such alternatives are the economists Richard K. Vedder of Ohio University and Robert I. Lerman of American University, the political scientist Charles Murray, and James E. Rosenbaum, an education professor at Northwestern. They would steer some students toward intensive, short-term vocational and career training, through expanded high school programs and corporate apprenticeships.College degrees are simply not necessary for many jobs. Of the 30 jobs projected to grow at the fastest rate over the next decade in the United States, only seven typically require a bachelor's degree, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.The US Labor Dept statistics actuallly give a very different picture than what educators and elected officials say publicly. Those stats show the greatest number of middle-paying jobs will go to those with on the job experience, an associate's degree, or some combination of both. Surely if you intend on practicing law or medicine you do need a full degree and then some. But has anyone looked at the pay scale of auto mechanics, plumbers, electricians? The vast majority of jobs in the "green jobs" category need more on the job experience than formal education - aren't these the "jobs of the future"?At a time when many people can't pay the rent, why are we still shoving them into institutions whose only guarantee is a minimum of a decade deep in debt? Why is there no honesty about the fact we have too many...

May 18, 2010 52 Replies

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Robert Swinney 16 years ago

The change in some people was amazing. Some were showing improvement before they left basic training. Others took longer. Some people don't know about it, but there were programs were small time criminals were sent into the military. If they behaved during their time in service, their criminal records were expunged. Like I said above, they were given jobs they could handle. They were generally worked hard, so they didn't feel like starting a fight or going out to steal something after they got off duty.

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Robert Swinney 16 years ago

Mike sez:

"Anyone wanting to run for any political office in the US should have to have a DD214, and a honorable discharge."

Mike, you're confusing the troops! Probably half of RCM (mostly the trolls) don't know what a DD214 is.

Bob Swinney

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Robert Swinney 16 years ago

Strap sez:

"Then Schapiro said "It?s not just about the economic return," he said. "Some college, whether you complete it or not, contributes to aesthetic appreciation, better health and better voting behavior."

WTF is _that_ all about? I'd like to see his stat source. "Go to college or: you won't be able to appreciate fART, you'll always be sick, and you'll never know how to vote." ?!?"

Look no further than the current political regime to appreciate what it is all about.

Bob Swinney

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Michael A. Terrell 16 years ago

don't know what a DD214

That's ok. They aren't smart enough to run for office, anyway. :)

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Gunner Asch 16 years ago

$5 a day, really isnt very good

Gunner

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Gunner Asch 16 years ago

don't know what a DD214

Sad, isnt it?

Gunner

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Michael A. Terrell 16 years ago

don't know what a DD214

But not surprising, is it? :(

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Sunworshipper 16 years ago

don't know what a DD214

I don't have one of those, but had to sign a PTOL-224.

That and help getting rid of mimosas that I can't recall since Sept. '80, sorry Ig., no offence. Guess switching planes and #'s didn't help.

As for the OP, I just found out that my old next door neighbor's house just appraised @ 1/10th of its highest value. I feel sorry for the kids now days.

Oh, I don't have enough booze, hookers, and cash to do the job, oops... I receive those with the job ! Naw, don't want it falling off.

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pyotr filipivich 16 years ago

Gunner Asch on Sat, 22 May 2010 20:17:17 -0700 typed in rec.crafts.metalworking the following:

Depends on what I can get for $5.00, but I take your meaning.

pyotr

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Brian Lawson 15 years ago

Hey Iggy,

I have some stuff for you, and I need some info. Can you send me a "good" email address so I can contact you please?

Send it to

snipped-for-privacy@ciaccess.com

Take care.

Brian Lawson, Bothwell, Ontario.

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Ignoramus29388 15 years ago

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Brian Lawson 15 years ago

Got it....Thanks.

Brian

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

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Brian Lawson 15 years ago

Hey guys,

Pretty sure there is at least one of "us" near there, so may be of interest. Place looks really clean.

Brian Lawson, Bothwell, Ontario

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