Citizens League takes on higher ed reform

By Lindsey Alexander, July guest blogger

In January, the Citizens League began a multi-phase project looking at higher education in Minnesota. Higher education, as we define it here, includes post-secondary education of any kind (certificate programs, two- and four-year programs, public, private, for-profit, etc.).

The initial research, conducted as part of the project’s first phase, has included conversations with people involved in all aspects of higher education. Through these conversations a number of issues have emerged. They include:

Preparedness
Many people are concerned that a rising number of students are not adequately prepared for college-level coursework. A 2010 study by the University of Minnesota and MnSCU found that 40% of Minnesota public high school students entering a public college or university had to take at least one remedial course in math, writing or reading, up from 30% in 2000.

How can our current system of K-12 education better prepare students for the rigor of post-secondary education?

Link to K-12
Advocates of better overlap between K-12 and post-secondary believe earlier and more effective K-12 career counseling could enable students to chart a personalized path to a career, which would allow them to more efficiently acquire training, credits and experiences in ways and at institutions most relevant to their future. Helping students to identify their aptitudes and interests early on helps them to focus on–and stay interested in–the classes and programs that are most relevant to their future.

How can we create and enhance K-12 and post-secondary connections to create a more cohesive approach?

Connection with employers
Many stakeholders interviewed said that it is important to bring employers into the discussion of any reform strategy and for employers to better articulate the skills and abilities graduates need to be workforce ready. Can employers adequately articulate what they are looking for in new employees? Can institutions — both post-secondary and K-12 — measure whether students are graduating with those skills and abilities?

Much of the growth in jobs over the next decade will be in positions that require less than a bachelor’s degree, including jobs that require little post-secondary education but some degree of on-the-job training. How can we prepare students to enter the workforce after graduation from high school?

Online innovations
Numerous stakeholders voiced concern that the higher education business model has not evolved well. Many believe online learning is a major innovation in higher education.

Advocates of higher education innovation argue there are two particularly valuable characteristics of online institutions, such as Western Governors University. First, they are separate from traditional systems of higher education. There’s no pressure to fit into the traditional model of higher education so they are freer to innovate than traditional bricks and mortar institutions. Second, online colleges and universities focus solely on teaching and learning.

Critics question the rigor of online education and whether online courses can truly impart the critical thinking skills employers value. What role could and should online education play in Minnesota’s higher education system?

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What do you think of the above issues? Please post a comment to share your views. To learn more about this work go to www.citizing.org/projects/highered or read the full story on these issues in the May/June edition of MN Journal.

Comments

[Laura Gilbert]

These questions are being asked by many higher ed leaders and groups in Minnesota and around the country. The bigger question on my mind is if we will get stuck in the questions or truly be able to move to the next step.

[Lindsey Alexander]

Laura, Thanks for kicking off the conversation. You're right. We're certainly not alone in raising these issues. And we agree, that the bigger piece is what do we do about it. You mention the desire to "move to the next step." What do you see as the "next step"? And why?

Good to have your thoughts!

[Susan Doherty]

I'm glad the Citizens League is getting involved in these critical issues, and also agree with Laura Gilbert that it's important to take action. There are some excellent recommendations already available -- the result of lots of research and meetings -- and I'd like to see Citizens League help move them forward. I think the Governor's Workforce Development Council (GWDC) report is an excellent place to start. They have five recommendations for ensuring students are prepared for success, and I highly recommend moving those ideas forward. See http://www.gwdc.org/policy_advisory/postsecondary_readiness.html

[Lindsey Alexander]

Susan, Thanks for the link. Interesting information there. Were you a part of these discussions, by any chance? I'm particularly interested in the recommendation: "Help students navigate their education through career and post-secondary planning." I think that's a really important piece. Do you know if there were discussions about specific ways to go about that? I agree it's really important and would be interested to hear if there were any discussions on how to do that.

Thanks for sharing the link.

[Susan Doherty]

Lindsay, Yes, I was part of the Education subcommittee that developed that particular recommendation, and we had lengthy discussions about the best ways to ensure all students have opportunities to plan. I recommend downloading All Hands on Deck, available at http://www.gwdc.org/policy_advisory/index.html Pages 28-38 give more detailed information and recommendations. I think it's particularly important that there be a system in place, similar to Minneapolis Public Schools' My Life Plan, to ensure that all students -- not just those who are motivated to get information and plan, but ALL students -- have a plan for what they want to do after high school.