How to Stop Complaining and Start Fixing America’s Higher Education Crisis
The most striking thing about fixing American higher education is that the direct costs look surprisingly small. The major obstacles are political, not financial.
See Thru Edu is a project of the Texas Public Policy Foundation
Thomas K. Lindsay, Ph.D., Editor in Chief and Director, Center for Higher Education, Texas Public Policy Foundation
Posts
The Latest–And Surprising–Victims of the Student-Loan Debt Crisis: Older Americans
How did those 60 and older—who thought they’d be looking forward to a hard-earned rest during their retirement years—come to be the fastest-growing age-group for student loans?
How to Reduce College Costs
College costs have become staggering and continue to rise unabated. SeeThruEdu’s Tom Lindsay and Ron Trowbridge outline areas where costs can be reduced, with commensurate savings to students.
Competition Is Helping to Bring Affordability, Efficiency Back to Higher Ed
Contrary to some analysts’ claims, struggling colleges that reduce tuition rates are not signing their own death certificate. Rather, they are enhancing their competitiveness, which in turn is reaping benefits for students and parents.
Happy New Year! Time to Get to Work on Higher Ed Reform
Happy New Year! It’s time to get serious about rising costs and sinking performance at the places young people go to get their minds — or whatever — trained and shaped up. There’s plenty to do before it’s January 1 again.
Answering union critics on education savings accounts
With an [education savings] account, the state deposits a child’s funds from the state education formula into a private bank account that Melanie and Wade can use to buy educational products and services for their children. Texas lawmakers are considering making these accounts available to state families.
Price Tag Not Included: How hiding college costs harms Texas students
This is an oversight with real consequences. State law requires that all students be encouraged to pursue a costly education and given the tools to pay for it on debt, but it does not require that students are informed of the costs of such a choice.
Peer advisors provide low-cost support for male undergraduates
These findings suggest that thoughtfully designed peer-advising programs are a low-cost, potentially useful way to increase student retention in postsecondary settings.
The Missing Piece in the Debate Over College Costs
Hundreds of colleges are offering programs that simply aren’t worth the expense. And while it’s difficult for families to figure out which schools are a good deal, a new report suggests the reality is: depressingly few.
You Shouldn’t Need a Consultant to Get Into College
Colleges and universities need to stand back and take a critical look at their admissions practices and ask why getting into their programs is more challenging than excelling in them.
