The American public clearly has Washington fatigue. It wants politicians to move in a different direction, one of cooperation between the new Congress and the Obama administration. We have a unique opportunity to do so in an area where bi-partisanship should be, and historically has been, a natural: higher education. But only if we take a rational, fact-based approach to legislation and regulation. An approach grounded in reality, not bias or ideology.
There’s certainly an active public dialogue underway about the value of higher education. Frequently news stories question the value of for-profit career colleges; sometimes they question the value of community colleges and public and private universities.
These stories are typically shortened into sensationalized sound bites. Statistics are taken out of context, stories of some failures with students are presented as representative, and selective analyses are presented as though they were unbiased research sufficient to support their conclusions. Few stories provide a balanced, accurate view. Unfortunately, the all-too-prevalent reckless distortions of this past year have hurt students most.
Think about this: for every bad outcome from one side, you can find one from the other. Obviously, if you speak to those for whom one institutional type didn’t work you will get a different picture than if you speak to those for whom it did work. This is not to excuse any of what isn’t done well. It’s merely to point out that in the broader debate, like in that old adage, there are two sides to every story. Both must be considered, because somewhere in between is the truth.
To illuminate the entire reality would take far more space than is available in this venue. But some important realities can be discussed here.
One reality: no single type of school will meet all students’ needs. Students whose needs aren’t met by community colleges or public universities are routinely well served by career colleges and schools. And vice versa. The strength of our higher education system lies in its diversity. This diversity enables individuals with many different needs and interests to choose the path — now more often paths — to become both more skilled and better educated. This serves both individuals and society. It serves our economy and our democracy. That’s why we need the full variety of choices available, which must all provide clear comparative information students can use to ensure their choices will successfully serve their needs and desires.
Another reality: some would like higher education to be free to the student and others would like to see its entire cost borne by students. Neither approach will work. Taxpayers can’t afford universal public higher education. On the other hand, for private education, whether for-profit or non profit, to be available to more than a select few, public support of student-based aid such as state and federal loans and grants is necessary. Of course, all schools should be equally accountable for and transparent in their use of such support.
We have a problem to solve. Our economy has changed. Resources are scarce. Demand for higher education is growing. Costs are escalating. Outcomes are threatened. Students suffer from the impact of all of this. So do taxpayers.
To truly improve things, Congress, the Obama administration, state governments and educators must be focused on four things: enhancing cooperation among, and innovation within, all public and private schools to leverage our resources and increase college access and choice; creating outcomes and cost/benefit transparency for all students at all institutions and for taxpayers as well; establishing equally applied meaningful performance and consumer protection standards for all schools; and restructuring higher education loan, grant and subsidy financing to improve both student and taxpayer affordability. Only this will build a stronger, more accessible, effective and stable mosaic of institutions able to meet current and future needs.
Our new economic reality combined with the increased demand for higher education and the significant changes and innovations being wrought throughout it, creates opportunities for sweeping positive change. But, the consequences of even small missteps will be greatly magnified — hurting millions of students and our economy. We are on the verge of one such misstep — the full implementation of a rule called “gainful employment,” on balance underpinned more by ideology than reasoned policy. As crafted, it is flawed and it gives preferential treatment to some schools at the expense of others and their students. Its approach will hurt more than help.
Of course, there are always politicians, regulators and educators who merely encourage the old win/lose ideological battle. It’s time for them to demonstrate true leadership, either by shedding their biases or moving aside. Then a cooperative and broadly beneficial dialogue can take place.
Randy Proto has over 30 years of experience in the education sector. He is currently CEO of American Institutes, a group of five schools with locations in Florida, New Jersey and Connecticut. Mr. Proto is also an avid martial artist, black belt and co-founder of International Haganah Federation, an organization that promotes an Israeli-based self defense style.