Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/03/upshot/the-economic-price-of-colleges-failures.html?ref=economy&_r=0&abt=0002&abg=0
This article discusses a study of individuals who have received a four-year higher education. In the study, a sample of first-year students attending four-year universities was given a test on skills that all colleges promise to teach to all students of all majors called the Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA). At the end of senior year, these students took the same test again. Results of the study showed that most students improved “less than half of one standard deviation”. However, many of these students still received good grades in their classes due to the low expectations set by universities. Students whose professors had higher academic expectations and who spent more time studying learned more, scoring higher on the test than others.
This article discusses a study of individuals who have received a four-year higher education. In the study, a sample of first-year students attending four-year universities was given a test on skills that all colleges promise to teach to all students of all majors called the Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA). At the end of senior year, these students took the same test again. Results of the study showed that most students improved “less than half of one standard deviation”. However, many of these students still received good grades in their classes due to the low expectations set by universities. Students whose professors had higher academic expectations and who spent more time studying learned more, scoring higher on the test than others.
While the skills measured by this test are certainly not the
only ones learned by college students, a follow-up study found that these
skills make a significant difference in finding and keeping a job
post-graduation. The students in the study were less likely to be unemployed
than young adults without a college degree, but many of the college graduates
who scored low on the CLA were working in positions that they are overqualified
for. On the other hand, students with higher scores on the CLA were less likely
to be unemployed and more successful in the workplace overall. The author sums
up the study’s results, stating “Because [low CLA-graduates] didn’t acquire vital critical
thinking skills, they’re less likely to get a job and more likely to lose the
jobs they get than students who received a good education”.
While a college degree will likely open more doors
post-graduation, the article asserts that most employers can tell those
who learned useful skills in college from those who did not. Taking into
account the rising cost of higher education, this study makes clear the long-term value
in receiving a high-quality college education over a mediocre one.
The CLA indicates that those who applied themselves more in university studies were more likely to succeed after graduation which is only logical. If a student, who didn't apply themselves harder in the classroom, I wouldn't expect them to flourish in their post graduate employment. The article also brings to attention the low standards set by university professors which is alarming, because professors are supposed to inspire more intellectual thinking.
ReplyDeleteI find it shocking that student's don't always learn the critical thinking skills they need to find and keep a job, which is the goal for most college students. As the article says, education is expensive and we expect results. The issue should be addressed from both sides. Universities should work to have high standards for their professors and students but students should also be willing to seek out challenge themselves. Taking more difficult classes or classes outside one's comfort zone could help build critical thinking and problem solving skills.
ReplyDeleteI am not surprised in the slightest by either the low expectations for grades or about students failing to learn critical thinking skills. I know several people who for some reason never learned how to think critically and from my own experience any class without even a distant tie to mathematics has been absurdly easy for me in regards to the expectations laid down by the professors.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day I suppose universities are businesses like everyone else, they're here to make money with the byproduct being that some of their students may accomplish something important, which they can take credit for helping foster.
I am not really surprised by these results, if a student does not really thrive or grow from their college classes, then I'm not surprised they are finding difficulty working. College is there for a reason, and if you just coast through it, and doing the bare minimum, you're not going to get as much out of it as you could get.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it is also the job of the University to push their students and set high expectations for them to follow, since that is one of the most important aspects of their job. They should motivate and engage their students, and guide them to be successful after graduation.
College could turn out great if you take your study seriously, or becomes deadly if you don't. A good academic education is vital in helping you find a job. However, another important factor is your knowledge outside. This includes problem solving skills, critical thinking, communication and much more, and I think these skills should also be mandatory subjects.
ReplyDeleteCollege is what you make of it. If you take it seriously and focus on academics, you will gain the skills to need to be successful after graduation in the work workforce. The goal of Universities are to make money and shape the mind of students who are our countries future. But borderline they still act like a busniess, and a business needs to make money. The higher the price of universities, the more people can argue if going to college is still worth it. The point is, now a days if you go to college and goof off, it is not going to be worth it. You will be stuck without a job and a lot of debt, but if you actually work at college, you will come out with a good job, the ability to pay off your debt and the ability to live a successful life.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Joshua in the sense of college is what you make of it and not about what others do. Those who apply themselves in school by paying attention, taking proper notes, undergoing efficient study tactics,etc will be more apt for a job compared to students who just "go through the motions". For most, it is relatively easy to show up to class on a daily basis and take notes but what isn't easy for many students is actually reviewing those notes, reading outside the classroom materials, and just simply engaging themselves. The students that are committed to their academics will undoubtedly see higher test scores on the CLA which most likely correlates to receiving and maintaining a post-graduate job.
ReplyDeleteAlthough having a college degree is almost essential to opening up future career opportunities, this article proves that there is more to it than just getting the degree. It's obvious that everyone does college differently: some choose to just get by, while others strive to be top of the class. It's this difference which will set students apart in the long-run when it comes to having vital skills needed in the workplace. The degree itself can only get you so far.
ReplyDelete