Ramesh Ponnuru, a National Review editor, tries to be provocative in a Time magazine piece, “The Case Against College Education.” Most readers may indeed be unfamiliar with the arguments that, for many students, the value of attending a four-year college is oversold.
But manufacturers and community colleges and workforce exports have long known this to be the case. And there are credible, excellent alternatives to a four-year baccalaureate (or starting at a college and then dropping out). As Ponnuru writes:
To talk about college this way may sound élitist. It may even sound philistine, since the purpose of a liberal-arts education is to produce well-rounded citizens rather than productive workers. But perhaps it is more foolishly élitist to think that going to school until age 22 is necessary to being well-rounded, or to tell millions of kids that their future depends on performing a task that only a minority of them can actually accomplish.
The good news is that there have never been more alternatives to the traditional college. Some of these will no doubt be discussed by a panel of education experts on Feb. 26 at the National Press Club, a debate that will be aired on PBS. Online learning is more flexible and affordable than the brick-and-mortar model of higher education. Certification tests could be developed so that in many occupations employers could get more useful knowledge about a job applicant than whether he has a degree. Career and technical education could be expanded at a fraction of the cost of college subsidies. Occupational licensure rules could be relaxed to create opportunities for people without formal education.
Our emphasis. And thanks, Ramesh. Now that you mention it, certification tests ARE being developed so that in many occupations employers can get more useful knowledge about a job applicant than whether he has a degree. As one learns at www.manufacturingskills.org:
The NAM-Endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System is built upon the framework of skills and competencies identified BY MANUFACTURERS, FOR MANUFACTURERS.
The first release of the NAM system focuses on core or basic personal effectiveness skills, academic competencies, general workplace skills, and industry-wide technical skills required by employers in all sectors of manufacturing.
To assure workers have the basic academic and general workplace skills, the NAM system is grounded on the ACT National Career Readiness Certificate. The certificate will assure manufacturers that individuals who choose to enter the workforce immediately after high school or postsecondary education have the core academic and workplace competencies for employment.
