Charter Colleges Offer Benefits, Professors Contend
Converting traditional public colleges and universities to charter schools could pay off financially and spark innovation, according to a recent paper by the Boston-based Pioneer Institute.
Academics
Future leaders in business, government, and civil society need more than just job skills. The following articles defend the value of liberal education, with a focus on academic quality and rigor, fundamental knowledge, and the ideas that have shaped Western Civilization. They also scrutinize academic programs that have departed from these ideals in the name of progressive ideology.
Buyer Beware: Some State College Saving Plans Don’t Add Up
Are tax-sheltered state college saving programs, such as North Carolina’s College Vision Fund, a good buy or a big scandal? According to a recent article by Forbes magazine reporters Thomas Easton and Michael Maiello, many of the funds suffer from inflated fees, limited disclosure and corruption. “Be sure you’re an educated investor,” warn Easton and Maiello.
Overall College Drinking on the Decline, According to Study
Mar 16, 2000 ·
Martin Center Staff
Moderate alcohol use among college students is on the decline while abstinence and “binge” drinking are gaining popularity, according to Harvard School of Public Health’s 1999 College Alcohol Study. The study surveyed 128 schools in 39 states and the District of Columbia.
Expanding Education Savings Accounts Would Help Poor, Middle Class
Mar 9, 2000 ·
Martin Center Staff
Increasing the amount of tax-free investment that parents contribute to education saving accounts (ESAs) would benefit middle and low- income families, according to Joe Barnett, a policy analyst with the National Center for Policy Analysis.
Community Colleges Need More Funds, Consultant Says / College Seniors “Don’t Know Much About History”
Feb 24, 2000 ·
Martin Center Staff
N.C. Community Colleges will need upward of $1.2 billion for capital expansion if they are to meet projected enrollment growth for 2000-2005, according to Kent Caruthers, a consultant with MGT of America, Inc. in Tallahassee, FL. The recommendation is part of a preliminary report on the North Carolina Community College System’s (NCCCS) funding needs that was presented to Board members last week. Since 1996, MGT has worked with Community College officials to assess the needs of NCCCS and consider ways to approach the General Assembly in asking for more funds.
Community Colleges to Examine “Critical Needs”
Feb 17, 2000 ·
Martin Center Staff
Members of the State Board of Community Colleges met today to begin developing a proposal for financing capital needs at the state’s community college campuses. The North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) announced last Friday that they would partner with UNC to create a funding package that would address both systems’ capital needs.
States use online learning to save space, cut spending
Feb 3, 2000 ·
Martin Center Staff
What has been called a “crisis” by some higher education leaders in North Carolina is being viewed as an opportunity to cut state spending and improve services in Washington State.
The ‘unthinkable’ and Molly Broad
Jan 13, 2000 ·
Jon Sanders
In a contest of crises, the floods of Floyd won out over the underfunding of UNC. Or so it would appear. Certainly the state faced a crisis in the hurricane’s wake. But is the situation facing UNC right now a crisis?
UNC’s search benefits from candidates’ withdrawals
Jan 6, 2000 ·
Martin Center Staff
The search for the next chancellor for UNC-Chapel Hill has been extended. UNC President Molly Broad and the search committee blame the delay on the publication of four candidates’ names in December, which caused two of them to remove their names from consideration.
Entrepreneurship in education is on the rise.
UMass Student Concocts Sexual Assault for “The Cause”
Dec 23, 1999 ·
Martin Center Staff
A University of Massachusetts at Amherst (UMass) student who reported being sexually assaulted during a November anti-rape student rally has admitted she made up the attack.