Great article by Victor Davis Hanson on how "the therapeutic Left and the utilitarian Right both do disservice to the humanities." Excerpt: ...the therapeutic academic Left proved incapable of defending the traditional liberal arts. With three decades of defining the study of literature and history as a melodrama of race, class, and gender oppression, it managed to turn off college students and the general reading public. And, cheek by jowl, the utilitarian Right succeeded in reclassifying business and finance not just as undergraduate majors, but also as core elements in general-education … [Read more...] about Victor Davis Hanson on the Liberal Arts
Thriving at College
President of ASU on Whether College is Worth It
A good interview with Michael Crow, president of Arizona State University, America's largest public university. He makes two really good points: 1. Most college rankings are based on exclusivity (admissions rates), but what's importance is achievement upon graduation. 2. Graduation rates vary by family income (sadly). "Having a more diverse class -- more kids working while in college, more first-generation college students -- affects graduation rates." (It seems we need to do more to help talented kids from lower income families persevere to graduation.) … [Read more...] about President of ASU on Whether College is Worth It
Parents Shell Out Less for Kids in College
Good WSJ article today on a concerning trend: The share of college costs paid by parents out of income and savings fell to 27% from 37% three years ago. What's picking up the slack? Looks like university scholarships, student loans, and relatives/friends: Two other highlights: In 2013, 57% of families reported a student living at home or with a relative, up from 43% three years ago. Students from low-income households have traditionally lived at home in larger numbers, but among families with incomes over $100,000, the share of students staying at home has doubled to 48% since … [Read more...] about Parents Shell Out Less for Kids in College
What’s a College Degree Worth?
College is expensive. Is it financially worth it? Yes, but you need to graduate, and the return on investment depends on the degree. Here's a helpful and accessible article by Dr. Jonathan James of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. He breaks down the wage premium of a bachelor's degree and an advanced degree as compared with a high school degree. He also looks at the choice of a college major, explaining that the "differences in the college major premium are as large as the college wage premium itself." Here's one of his figures: … [Read more...] about What’s a College Degree Worth?
Importance of Vocation for College Students
An exceptional speech entitled "Renewing the Wellsprings of Responsibility," was given in 2009 by Dr. Nathan O. Hatch, President of Wake Forest University. The immediate context was the collapse of the housing industry and associated sectors: The current economic turmoil is taking its toll on jobs and psyches on Wall Street and on Main Street. It will also slam shut the easy routes to fame and fortune that many students have enjoyed. But now we’re left with the question: what happens when the rewards aren’t there? When the applause stops and the checks shrivel? Students will be forced to … [Read more...] about Importance of Vocation for College Students
Interview with Paul Tough on How Children Succeed
I really enjoyed Paul Tough's book How Children Succeed. I highly recommend it to parents and educators alike. I'm thankful he was willing to briefly interact with me on a few questions. You argue against the theory that IQ determines a person's academic outcome. What role, if any, do you see for nature (innate talent)? For example, taking as a given that grit, curiosity, and delayed gratification are vitally important to success, would you acknowledge that some have more innate talent than others in (say) mathematics? Or would you argue that what determines who does better in math is … [Read more...] about Interview with Paul Tough on How Children Succeed