A Couple of Trends @ the K-12/Postsecondary Interface

Here are a couple of recent items about trends at the interface between K-12 and postsecondary education:

Universities Go to School. Expanding missions and the charter school movement bring research institutions into the K-12 arena: "ASU has joined the growing ranks of large research institutions—Stanford; the University of California, San Diego; and The University of Chicago among them—that have extended their educational mission by creating local K-12 charter schools." (University Business)

New Approach Would Let High Schoolers Graduate Early. "In an experiment that could reshape American secondary education, high schools in eight states will introduce new courses next year, along with a battery of tests for sophomores, that will allow students who pass to get a diploma two years early and immediately enroll in community college." (The New York Times)

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Regional SCUP Events! Enjoy the F2F company of your colleagues and peers at one of three SCUP regional conferences this spring:

• March 14–16: Baltimore, MD
• March 24–26: Cambridge, MA
• April 5–7, San Diego, CA

New Book: Fertilizers, Pills & Magnetic Strips, The Fate of Public Education in Americ

 Purchase this book here: Fertilizers, Pills, And Magnetic Strips: The Fate Of Public Education In America (PB)

In Fertilizers, Pills, and Magnetic Strips, Gene V Glass analyzes how a few key technological inventions changed culture in America and how public education has changed as a result. Driving these changes are material self-interest and the desire for comfort and security, both of which have transformed American culture into a hyper-consuming, xenophobic society that is systematically degrading public education.

Glass shows how the central education policy debates at the start of the 21st century (vouchers, charter schools, tax credits, high-stakes testing, bilingual education) are actually about two underlying issues: how can the costs of public education be cut, and how can the education of the White middle-class be "quasi-privatized" at public expense? Working from the demographic realities of the past thirty years, he projects a challenging and disturbing future for public education in America.

School Superintendents and Community College Presidents a Great Marria

Stephen Jones writes about the synergies that are possible, but rarely effected, if community colleges can work more closely with the leadership of area high schools in ways that go beyond traditional dual enrollment initiatives:

Community college admission staff and faculty need to spend more time connecting with high schools. These professionals can play a role in changing student expectations. Some high school students say they never have received a visit from an admissions officer from any college. When community colleges reach out to schools it sends a message that students are welcomed to apply. And it might benefit parents to learn that the cost of a community college education is often half the cost of that from a four-year institution.