by Dr Davis on September 28, 2009
I definitely saw this at my college.
Admissions officers said all summer that they had little idea what they might see when students arrived for the fall semester. Hitting bull’s-eye on the projected size of a freshman class is an inexact science in the best of times. And given the volatile economy, a rash of last-minute no-shows seemed possible.
Two weeks before school, administrators were closing sections.
But then… the students showed up.
The freshmen arrived in a flood, forcing the Johns Hopkins University to reopen a defunct residence hall, lease a nearby inn and create new sections of popular math and science courses.
Those might sound like steps required in a robust economy, when a $54,500 annual price tag would be little impediment to students seeking a prestigious education. The twist is that all of it happened in the past three weeks.
Conventional wisdom held that the deep recession might push students away from expensive private schools such as Hopkins to lower-priced alternatives. Instead, the university is coping with a freshman boom.
Johns Hopkins isn’t the only one.
Community College Dean said his school had a record year.
My CC added 1000 students this year over last year.
My SLAC gained 400 or so in the freshman class over last year. And it’s $$$.
Honestly, I don’t know where they are coming from. But I’m glad they are coming to my classrooms.
by Dr Davis on September 28, 2009
Learning Curve: Is it college or bust? says:
Lerman disputed the notion that all students need to be college-ready and enrolled in the most demanding courses. Empirical evidence contradicts that statement, he argued.
When you ask employers to list the important characteristics for front-line workers, they mention such things as an applicant’s attitude, communications skills and previous work experience, according to Lerman.
An applicant’s grades fall far down the list, he said. Industry-based credentials are valued more than years of schooling. As an example, Lerman said that despite the thrust to require algebra II in high school, only .09 percent of workplaces use it.
My younger son will be pleased to hear that. And I’ve been getting a lot of feedback recently that a specific degree isn’t the point either. Maybe I should talk about that later.
The article focuses on the question of whether it is really necessary for kids to go to college. No, it isn’t. But we don’t have a good alternative. We just don’t. It’s out there. But it’s not here.
Lerman advocates duplicating the sophisticated apprentice programs in Switzerland and Germany. The programs lead to good jobs and meet the needs of students who want relevant and practical skills training alongside their academic classes, he said.
My one friend who was in this system in Switzerland went for secretarial skills. Then she went to college and became a teacher, but in the US.
I’m not sure I really want the early herding effects Swiss schools have, even if I do like the practical aspects of the education system.
