Report Shows College Students Learn Little During First Two Years-- Misplaced Criticism

"Nearly half of the nation's undergraduates show almost no gains in learning in their first two years of college, in large part because colleges don't make academics a priority."

This article, also published in USA Today, takes the tiresome tack that young people play too much and teachers spend too much time on self-indulgent activities to do what they should be doing, "learning," as defined by another standardized test.

Students enter university after 12 years of government school, and if they are really lucky they have parents who have helped them and encouraged them to follow their passion, a real desire to learn and achieve in their chosen field, and a direction chosen for when they graduate.

The unlucky ones have been drugged into a stupor throughout their 12 years in government schools because they appeared to be fit targets for a new psychoactive drug that would pacify them. They were counseled by buffoons into believing that trying hard won't get them into the school of their choice, and/or they were told that their passion wasn't going to get them a good job, and if they didn't study X, they would be street sweepers.

Institutions profit from the advertising of non-academic activities, and students receive reduced prices on travel and entertainment opportunities made available on and off campus.

Entertainment establishments developed near college campuses were established to capitalize on students, and many would soon go out of business if students turned to monkish study habits, nothing any chamber of commerce wants.

But when election time comes, those people that profit from the campuses turn around and vote for legislators who promise to cut education funding or regulations that have the same effect.

Funding for all education is being cut everywhere, making teachers focus more of their energies on earning grants to fund their departments. How are grants earned? Through research. Even though the investment returns on education are significant according to a Joint Economic Committee Study in January, 2000, "Investment in Education: Private and Public Returns," public funding is being reduced dramatically.

There is a strong consensus among economists that formal education is an important determinant of individual earnings as well as economic growth. The importance of formal education has been magnified by recent economic trends underlying U.S. labor market demand for skilled workers. The following is a review of the importance of education to both the individuals acquiring education and of the benefits received by society resulting from increased educational attainment.

That means that college teachers are fighting for the very existence of their institutions through their research efforts.

My suggestion to people who think colleges are on the wrong track is to quit watching college sports and drinking beer on the weekends and start thinking how you can help out a struggling student or offer your skills in helping out at a local college or university.
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