Comments on: Urban universities: Pay to fail

By: Dave J

Dave J — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 01:13:35 +0000

“I ain’t teachin’ at no second-rate high school!”

–the immortal Marion Barry upon being offered a job at UDC

By: SuperSub

SuperSub — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 19:28:58 +0000

Simply mentioning the common prejudice against plumbers…

By: Margo/Mom

Margo/Mom — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:35:40 +0000

…while the plumber, who does a heck of a lot more for our economy, is best known for exposing his buttcrack.

SS–now don’t be talkin’ bad about Joe!

By: Margo/Mom

Margo/Mom — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:34:08 +0000

“Most of the students who enter college these days shouldn’t need to be there. If a high school diploma actually meant something, more students could enter the workforce with that credential alone and get a decent job.”

On the other hand, if a high school diploma actually meant something more students would be prepared for college and might choose to go there and complete.

By: SuperSub

SuperSub — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:39:49 +0000

As Brandyjane said, there’s way to many individuals who are earning worthless college degrees. Think about the current fiscal crisis… how many people would be better able to support themselves if they weren’t saddled with $10,000+ in college loan debt while working in a low-income job because their degree is worthless?

As for UDC… they have one motivation – to make money. They’re just as willing (if not more) to accept money from people with a 6th grade education as those with a 12th grade education. As the saying goes, a fool and his money are soon parted. Colleges like this are simply taking advantage of the college degree fad.

Somewhere along the line (probably due to the Cold War space race), our society stopped focusing on the importance of hard work and instead focused on the importance of education. Focusing on education is noble, but unlike hard work, doesn’t necessarily produce something concrete. We have individuals who are lauded (and paid) for their multiple PhDs in fields like transgendered studies, while the plumber, who does a heck of a lot more for our economy, is best known for exposing his buttcrack.

By: Brandyjane

Brandyjane — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:10:51 +0000

I wish we could get away from the idea that everyone needs or deserves to go to college. Most of the students who enter college these days shouldn’t need to be there. If a high school diploma actually meant something, more students could enter the workforce with that credential alone and get a decent job. Or if American society stopped being so snobbish toward jobs that should only require a technical or vocational degree, more students would move in that direction.

By: allen

allen — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:52:03 +0000

Hunter beat me to it – why are they being admitted without basic skills?

Because there are dollar bills swirling in their wake, same as the school districts that graduate them as ignorant as the day they were born.

By: Mike, a diag in Texas

Mike, a diag in Texas — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:54:06 +0000

For a short while, about a week, there was a move to “back bill” the districts who graduated students that required remedial classes.

Guess who screamed the loudest? Hint: it wasn’t the universities or community colleges!!

By: Bandit

Bandit — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:35:14 +0000

Hunter beat me to it – why are they being admitted without basic skills?

By: Margo/Mom

Margo/Mom — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:33:54 +0000

In the case of UDC, they might consider looking upstream. I am guessing that most of their students are products of a single education systeme. Perhpas they could partner to ensure better high school graduates.