The Other 85 Percent

The Democrats’ position on higher education

August 26, 2008 | Filed under: Barack Obama, Capella, Capella University, Chronicle of Higher Education, Mike Offerman, The Other 85 Percent, Transparency by Design, college, college degree, continuing education, distance learning, elearning, higher education, online education, online learning, online university

As readers of this blog are aware, I have been keeping track of the presidential candidates’ positions on higher education and watching for recognition of the other 85% – adult, part-time, financially independent students.

This article in the Chronicle of Higher Education is a report on the first day of the Democratic National Convention and adoption of the party platform.

Platforms are rarely specific on particular issues and this one is no exception. However, for the first time for either candidate or party, there is reference to “non-traditional students” in the last sentence of the second paragraph of the section on higher education. The entirety of this section of the platform is presented below. While I find use of the term “non-traditional” to be off-base, since older, part-time, and financially independent students are, in fact, the new tradition and they are not “non” anything, it is good to finally see consideration of the other 85%.

Your thoughts?

Democratic Party Platform on Higher Education
We believe that our universities, community colleges, and other institutions of higher learning must foster among their graduates the skills needed to enhance economic competitiveness. We will work with institutions of higher learning to produce highly skilled graduates in science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines who will become innovative workers prepared for the 21st century economy.

At community colleges and training programs across the country, we will invest in short-term accelerated training and technical certifications for the unemployed and under-employed to speed their transition to careers in high-demand occupations and emerging industries. We will reward successful community colleges with grants so they can continue their good work. We support education delivery that makes it possible for non-traditional students to receive support and encouragement to obtain a college education, including Internet, distance education, and night and weekend programs.

We must also invest in training and education to prepare incumbent job-holders with skills to meet the rigors of the new economic environment and provide them access to the broad knowledge and concrete tools offered by apprenticeships, internships, and postsecondary education. We need to fully fund joint labor-management apprenticeship programs and reinvigorate our industrial crafts programs to train the next generation of skilled American craft workers.

We recognize the special value and importance of our Historically Black Colleges and
Universities and other minority serving institutions in meeting the needs of our increasingly diverse society and will work to ensure their viability and growth.

We will make college affordable for all Americans by creating a new American Opportunity Tax Credit to ensure that the first $4,000 of a college education is completely free for most Americans. In exchange for the credit, students will be expected to perform community service. We will continue to support programs, especially the Pell Grant program, that open the doors of college opportunity to low-income Americans. We will enable families to apply for financial aid simply by checking a box on their tax form.

Our institutions of higher education are also the economic engines of today and tomorrow. We will partner with them to translate new ideas into innovative products, processes and services.

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