Correlation Doesn’t Mean Causation
A flawed new study, “The Undereducated American,” fails to prove that America needs to “produce” lots more college graduates.
Author Profile
George Leef
George Leef is director of external relations for the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Carroll College (Waukesha, WI) and a juris doctor from Duke University School of Law. He was a vice president of the John Locke Foundation until 2003.Prior to joining the Locke Foundation, Leef was president of Patrick Henry Associates, a consulting firm in Michigan dedicated to assisting others in advocating free markets, minimal government, private property, and individual rights. Previously, Leef was on the faculty of Northwood University in Midland, Michigan, where he taught courses in economics, business law, and logic. He has also worked as a policy adviser in the Michigan Senate.
A regular columnist for Forbes.com, Leef was book review editor of The Freeman, published by the Foundation for Economic Education, from 1996 to 2012. He has published numerous articles in The Freeman, Reason, The Free Market, Cato Journal, The Detroit News, Independent Review, and Regulation. He writes regularly for the National Review's The Corner blog and for SeethruEdu.com.
Articles by George Leef
Another Weak Argument for Affirmative Action
Putting some students from impoverished areas in elite colleges won’t improve public policy.
A Book President Obama Should Read
“Professor X” underscores the folly of luring hordes of weak students into college.
Stop Worrying, College Students!
Kevin Carey suggests that people ignore the doubts about the value of college, but I think it’s bad advice.
Creating Incentives for Quality
College teaching isn’t going to improve until schools and professors find that low quality costs them students.
To Teach or Not to Teach
The failure of colleges to pay attention to effective teaching dominated the discussion at last week’s Pope Center event.
It’s No Better Up North
Two Canadian professors say that their country doesn’t deserve its reputation for “world class” higher education
The Failure Factory That Wasn’t
A new study argues for “privileging” graduation rate data, but that could point students in the wrong direction.
Not So Gloomy, For Once
Charles Murray sees improvements ahead for higher education.
Student Financial Aid Programs Work!
But do they work for students or for colleges?