New Funding for Community Colleges?
I am a huge fan of the programs community colleges offer. I'm not sure how they earned the stigma of being inferior educational insitutions, appealing primarily to those whose high school academic credentials are lacking. For anyone who has been laid off work, or wanting to get a jump start into a new career, the community college is an excellent place to start. Yes, a four-year Bachelor degree seems to be the new high school diploma in the job market, but the associate degrees offered at community college can lead to well-paying jobs in a number of fields, while costing a fraction of what the tuition at a four-year school would. For example, there are a number of fields open to students with an associate's degree: registered nurse, sonographer, networking technology and fire science, to name just a few. As well, for anyone who plans on getting a bachelor's degree, starting their college career at the community college level and transfering their credits to a four-year institution after receiving their associate's degree will save them a huge chunk of change.
So earlier this week I was encouraged to learn that the Obama administration's stimulus plan has earmarked $1.7 billion toward adult employment services, including training. With the unemployment rate climbing, workers will need retraining as many jobs have gone and will not be coming back. In addition to the $1.7 billion already allocated, President Obama has proposed a $12 billion boost to community college funding which was announced on July 13th. The proposed funding for this program primarily comes from ending a government-subsidized student loan program run by private banks, which would free up about $ 4 billion per year.
While many may not agree with the way the Obama administration has handled the economy, with the controversial stimulus plan, I am in full agreement that providing funding for education is one of the very best investments the U.S. can make. It's long overdue that there is a crackdown on the obscene profits that banks make off the backs of students. If this money can be directed back into the hands of community colleges to develop new programs and allow additional students to receive critical job training, we should all applaud the move.
I'm interested in your take on the new proposals aimed at community colleges. Do you think that this new proposed investment of $12 billion in community colleges is warranted, or is it just throwing good money after bad? Please comment on this topic.
Here is a link to an earlier post I wrote about community colleges.