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The Liberal Arts: More Breadth, Less Depth
August 3 , 2007
Alex Usher,
Vice President, Educational Policy Insitute
I have recently been thinking about the Liberal Arts (a term I use in the Canadian sense of referring broadly to humanities and social science rather than the American sense of referring to the more American definition of "a general education" which also usually includes some science and math), and more specifically, what a problem they pose for universities as a whole.
They certainly lie at the heart of most institutions' identity. You can imagine a university without a law or engineering faculty easily enough, but it's tough to imagine one without a department of English or History. And it is also true that they can provide students with insights on the way the world works; indeed, an argument can be made that in an increasingly globalized world, a thorough grounding in the Liberal Arts is the best way to equip people to analyze and deal with the increasingly complicated and interconnected world in which we live. READ
MORE...
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A Study Finds Some States Lagging on Graduation Rates
Jennifer Medina, The New York Times
Focusing primarily on improvements in Reading and Math, NCLB allows wide latitude in the goals that states set for graduation rates. This has resulted in goals that are described as state-set goals that are too low to prompt much needed improvement.
Report: Rural students get better grades than urban peers
Nancy Zuckerbrod, Associated Press
Results of an Education Department study reports that rural students do better in sciences and math, and rural teachers are happier with there schools. Classroom size, among other factors, is speculated to lend to the performance of rural schools.
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Crucial Lawmaker Outlines Changes to Education Law
Diana Jean Schemo, The New York Times
In a speech this week, the chairman of the House education committee spoke about the successes and improvements needed in the NCLB law that was passed by Congress in 2001. In his speech the congressman announced that a bill addressing improvements to the law may come before lawmakers as early as September.
Kentucky Schools Contempt Request Denied
Associated Press
In response to a US Supreme Court ruling, attorneys asked a US District Court Judge that Kentucky school officials be jailed for contempt. The judge denied the request. The motion was made in response to a ruling handed down in June stating that students could not be assigned to schools based on race.
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Certain Degrees Now Cost More at Public Universities
Jonathan D. Glater, The New York Times
Many Public Universities are dealing with the rising cost of education and the fleeting public finical support by charging more for some degrees than they do others. While the increased tuition addresses the funding problems, some educators say it opens up a new set of problems for the institutions and students alike.
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Student Loan Potpourri
Inside Higher Ed
The latest news in the Federal student loan investigation: GAO study says US Education Department has done little to prevent loan crisis; Investigations reach into Universities’ athletic department; Senate committee approves legislation that would expand Federal oversight.
Science Bill Ready for Passage
Inside Higher Ed
If signed by the President, the America COMPETES Act would promote new science, technology and crucial foreign languages programs as well as expand on several programs already in place. This act was passed in response to the need of American students to be competitive in these fields.
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Time's the key in two-year degree
Gary Eason, BBC News
A new fast-tracked degree program is being tested in the UK with mixed reviews. Reports say vocational degrees are popular in this program while degrees in English and Philosophy are not. Students state that the savings in time and money make the fast-track option appealing.
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Students told its cheaper to study abroad
Tony Tysome, Times Higher Education
A British private company is encouraging students to shun their home universities and study abroad instead. The new company says UK institutions have become too complacent and expensive.
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Low income doesn't put education out of reach
Fiona Anderson, Vancouver Sun
The Federal government helps Canada’s low-income families save for college.
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Virtual classes get a real tax break
Jamie Golombek, Financial Post
If you plan on attending post-secondary school online, you will be in store for some new tax relief. The Canada Revenue Agency has changed its position and is now extending tax relief to students of Internet-based colleges and universities.
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Australian National University tops field in research
Dorothy Illing, The Australian
THE Australian National University has cemented its place at the top of the national research league ladder and, along with Melbourne University, in the world's top 100.
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Loans fuel niche threat
Dorothy Illing, The Australian
STRONG growth among private higher education providers in niche areas is posing an unprecedented threat to universities, especially those struggling to meet their government-allocated student quotas.
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Digest of Education Statistics, 2006
The 42nd in a series of publications initiated in 1962, the Digest's primary purpose is to provide a compilation of statistical information covering the broad field of American education from prekindergarten through graduate school.
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The
Educational Policy Institute is an international
non-profit think tank dedicated to the study
of educational opportunity. The Week in Review
is a weekly publication that highlights the
top news stories, reports and statistics
related to academic preparation and access
and success in the US, Canada, and beyond.
The publication also features a commentary
written by either President Watson Scott
Swail, EdD or Vice-President Alex Usher.
To submit comments, news releases,
or submissions, please email Dr. Watson Scott
Swail at wswail@educationalpolicy.org or
call (757) 430-2200.
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