Goodbye Meritocracy, Hello…What?
Is meritocracy just? Just a short time ago, it was commonly accepted that it is the fairest way to determine who wins and who loses in the competition of college … Continue reading “Goodbye Meritocracy, Hello…What?”
Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste: UNC BOG Hastily Enacts New Admissions Policy
It is a common saying that one should “never let a crisis go to waste.” Last week, the University of North Carolina Board of Governors exemplified this principle when they … Continue reading “Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste: UNC BOG Hastily Enacts New Admissions Policy”
GPA or SAT? Two Measures Are Better Than One
At a time when only 41 percent of college students graduate in four years—and only 56 percent in five years—colleges and universities across the country are phasing out the only … Continue reading “GPA or SAT? Two Measures Are Better Than One “
The Overhyped College Dropout ‘Scandal’
About 40 percent of Americans who enroll in college drop out before earning a certificate or degree. A high percentage of those who drop out are from poor families; they … Continue reading “The Overhyped College Dropout ‘Scandal’”
Is Early College Paying Off?
“Early college” is an increasingly popular program that allows students to earn college credit in high school. Among the advantages it offers to high school students is the ability to … Continue reading “Is Early College Paying Off?”
It’s Time to Abolish Letters of Recommendation
Every year, professors around the world write millions of letters of recommendation. They write letters for admission to graduate schools, law schools, and medical schools. They write letters for tenure … Continue reading “It’s Time to Abolish Letters of Recommendation”
Can Americans ‘Handle the Truth’ About Individual Achievement Differences?
In the 1992 movie A Few Good Men, there is a courtroom scene where the prosecuting attorney (played by Tom Cruise) tells the defendant Marine officer Nathan Jessup (played by … Continue reading “Can Americans ‘Handle the Truth’ About Individual Achievement Differences?”
Keeping Journalists in the Dark: ‘Citation Cartels’ Limit Public Knowledge
The public relies on journalists to learn about and share academic research. Public knowledge can be undermined, however, when academics try to influence what research journalists cover or limit the … Continue reading “Keeping Journalists in the Dark: ‘Citation Cartels’ Limit Public Knowledge”
Preparing Students for Life Beyond High School
Few factors affect the long-term direction of students’ lives more than the quality of their K-12 education. For students who decide to attend a four-year university, their ability to keep … Continue reading “Preparing Students for Life Beyond High School”
Fixing a Liberal Arts Education Requires a Standardized Curriculum
In higher education, the value of a liberal arts education has been frequently debated. Defenders on the left argue that it exposes students to coursework and teaches critical thinking skills … Continue reading “Fixing a Liberal Arts Education Requires a Standardized Curriculum”