Political Culture And Higher Education Regimes

In the essay “The Day the Purpose of College Changed,” Dan Berrett continuously insists how higher education has shifted from the fixation on liberal education to business and economics and utilizing other critic’s opinions on the ever growing career-based education. During the time of “economic ruin” (Berrett 64), Ronald Reagan suggested that “certain intellectual luxuries” (Berrett 65) could be cut from the budget due to his belief that the sole purpose of college should prepare students for jobs and the real world, rather than just sheer amusement (Berrett 65). Berrett as well acknowledged the views of liberals, such as Thomas Jefferson, who believed that liberal education would “strengthen democracy” (Berrett 66) while adhering to the opinion

“What Is College For” by Andrew Delbanco, shows the need for both a universal college system; one which caters for all of society, and one which provides a liberal education. Delbanco gives many reasoned thoughts on how, and why the college system has become restricted, to purely those of a higher socio-economic background, rather than being exclusive to people of all backgrounds. The idea of college being a platform for people to learn, advance their skills, and become whatever they want to be has seemingly diminished over time. The ideas in favor of such an educational system are put forward, but they are foreshadowed in my opinion, by the notion that people should have the same educational opportunities in life; regardless of their economic or social background. A universal education system is needed for our society to prosper, especially if it provides a liberal education; this is not just for the individuals that make up a community, but for the community, as a whole.

The variation of government is due to political culture. The people of the United States have expectations of a state. For example, during elections Texas is expected to vote for republicans because of the state’s political culture. The roles and powers of the states’ legislatures, governors, and judiciaries are established by the states’ political culture.

California has followed the steps of many American states by committing its efforts on ensuring educational developments through improved governance systems. In the last half a decade or so, there have emerged diverse levels of studies in California State majorly because of three reasons which include several legislative practices, institutions, and participation of state agencies. The California Educational Commission was created as early as 1899 with a number of 70 members to study the state’s educational program with an effort of improving it. Of much interest was the recommendation that legislation had to be twisted to form a uniform board for the governing of normal colleges and universities in California. This issue resulted in the formulation of a law that placed the normal colleges and universities in California under the State Board of Education.

College: What is Was, Is and Should Be, by Andrew Delbanco takes both a historical and analytical approach to the evolution of higher education institutions in the United States. While thought provoking, some of his views balance on the verge of extremity. Many colleges provide students with the skills necessary for what is happening in society at that moment. This is exemplified in how the application process has changed from the earliest colleges to today. Also, when colleges were first introduced into society, students were recommended by members of society to attend a school, which is much different than the process today. Another aspect of what Delbanco discusses in his book is the disparity between a small liberal arts college and

Donald E. Heller, (2011), The States and public Higher education policy, Cengage Publications, pp 200-288

In, Leo Gerard's article, " Grading Colleges on Access to the American Dream", the author illustrates the tremendous problem of college affordability, which is a growing issue in America. While author primarily focuses on the current issue of college affordability, he also evokes memories of a time when attending college was less difficult. The author begins his argument by stating the importance of colleges and the American Dream. He outlines Obama's plan to grade colleges based on tuition, scholarships, and financial aid. He states that Obama's plan will help restore the chance for all people to attain the American Dream. The author then compares our generation to the past, as he describes the circumstances for teens growing up in the 1960s

President Barack Obama introduced his America’s College Promise proposal to make community college tuition-free for students in January, but Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC) President Barbara Risser did not bring it up with the collegewide governance body until October. She did not endorse it; she only asked the approximately 20 members to think about what it would mean for the school. No one responded. Mr. Obama says his proposal would expand the reach of higher education, a goal that fits with liberal ideology. Given that academics tend to lean left (Jaschik, 2012), the lack of enthusiasm for a seemingly liberal proposal on a college campus might seem unusual. This essay will review the tenets of conservatism and liberalism and explore their usefulness in predicting the impact of American’s College Promise and who might take sides for or against it. It will show the president’s proposal cannot be categorized neatly into one of the two dominant ideological camps. Wilson’s cost-benefit typology proves a more meaningful way to consider the potential ramifications of the policy and how that information could be used to refine it.

“We all believe that every student in America deserves a fair shot at a higher education and a path toward the middle class,” Lawmakers agree on that statement. The crux is how to provide that fair shot. President Obama is “attempting to tackle the problem of skyrocketing higher education costs in the US” by passing a bill where states lessen the financial

In 1958, the National Defense Education Act provided college students up to one thousand dollars a year in loans, but the average annual loan was actually only five hundred dollars or less because students could afford the rest of tuition on their own. Interest began at three percent a year after graduation and could usually be paid off in ten years. (Good 590-591) These statistics are a far cry from today’s, with student loan debt surpassing one trillion dollars and many graduates paying off loans well into middle age. As a result of the government shelling out billions of dollars in loans and inflation, colleges have had to increase their tuitions thus creating a college “bubble”. In the past year or so many political leaders have proposed plans to pay for two years of community college, such as President Obama, or for a full four years, such as Bernie Sanders, a frontrunner for the democratic candidacy. Even states like Tennessee,

Furthermore, by receiving post-secondary degree students would be provided with opportunity to increase their education and experience necessary for the job market. Article refers to the 19th century when higher education began as private as the new nation began. However, in the 1920s, the Congress provided a broader portion of students with a chance of getting higher education with support of federal programs. The author states that appearing of neoliberalism limits the influence of government and widens the role of market in people’s lives. Consequently, when Ronald Reagan was elected a governor in California in 1966, the government cancelled all the support for free education. Because of the influence of neoliberalism, students started to

Social, cultural and political changes have immense influences on the education sector. This has been witnessed from the onset African and Asian immigration into the United States from 1954 till present times. During the last quarter of the 20th century, immigrants to the US were denied education and those who received education did so under great threats. The dominant view of society about immigrants during this period was extremely negative and rejecting; thereby not deserving of an education. Currently, the education has been made affordable to everybody due to changing atmosphere of unprecedented social change. In education, this change resulted in the legal dismantling of segregated education for African American children (Collins, 2008). As African American children integrated the schools in the United States, they came to school with the stigma of slavery and the negative attitudes held by the agents of the educational institution. Attitudes and held perceptions were the catalyst for constructions such as biased assessment and the retardation paradigm. From these constructions emerged practices in special education that held large numbers of African American students captive in not only the educational milieu, but also limited their work potential. For this reason, the sociopolitical landscape as a context for curriculum, instruction, and assessment has continued to play a significant role in the education

For the sake of clarity, two distinct 'sides' prevail within our higher education system today. Although the terms “Republican” and “Democrat” (referred to herein in as liberal and conservative) may seem inappropriate in the context of academic pursuits, they serve an advantage here

One of the primary factors in the transition of the Student Affairs profession over the years has been political influences and government spending on higher education initiatives. Political officials hold an enormous amount of power over institutions of higher learning, especially those that are public. These representatives’ legislative powers can help or hinder the education community, specifically within Student Affairs. “The federal government provides funding for student aid, as well as for research and development” (McClellan & Stringer, 2009, p. 109) and that financial support often has great influence over the current endeavors that a University is pursing. Additionally, the government has an immense effect on the Student Affairs community through the legislative process. With the passing of the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, a flood of new students surged the higher education landscape, and the need for student services skyrocketed. According to Leddy (2009), there was a severe deficiency of student housing and a low number of faculty members nationwide, however, with the influx of veterans, colleges expanded to meet the increase in demand (para. 3). While the passing of this act, along with many others has positively affected the higher education landscape, the direct connection of politics in higher education and Student Affairs can best be seen during times of financial stress and cutbacks.

U.S. schools and colleges vary from numerous points of view. Some are open, others are independently employed individual; some are huge urban colleges, some are two-yr. group universities, others little rustic grounds. Some offer alumna and expert political stage, others point of convergence basically on undergrad instruction. Each of our more than 3, 000 schools and colleges has its particular and dissimilar mission. This aggregate differing qualities around organizations is one of the extraordinary strength of America's higher instruction framework, and has helped make it the best in the people. Protecting that assorted qualities is key on the off chance that we plan to serve the needs of our just social order.