How Community Colleges Can Help Fight Back Middle-Class Decline

The New York Times:

A man named Gerald Chertavian came by my office not long ago, and, by the time he left, I was filled with renewed appreciation for the potential of community colleges to help stem the decline of the middle class. There are few more urgent tasks.

Read the whole story at The New York Times

Comments

[Knowledgeseeker]

02:47 AM on 07/15/2012

there should be a Year UP program in all community colleges

[RavenHoney]

11:57 AM on 07/09/2012

I agree with the posts that suggest that 2 year college should offer something more practical, such as training for HVAC or asbestos or lead-abatement. But let's look at where community colleges do a good job. Most community colleges offer 0900 classes that are not for credit and a pre-requisite to the 101, 102, 103 etc. classes. Many students coming out of high-school need to be brought up to speed on math and English before taking on college-level classes. This doesn't necessarily mean that the high-school that they went to was defective or that the student is stupid. It could simply mean that the student (for whatever reason) didn't catch on the first time and needs a second chance. Community colleges can provide that second chance. The classes are usually smaller and the instructor is determined that their students will "get it" this time around.

[1oldhippie]

03:36 PM on 07/04/2012

They should 'offer' whats needed!
Case in point - To be allowed to work on houses built prior to 1978, the EPA requires a lead course be passed by EVERY contractor. I need the certificate but would have to travel a hundred miles and pay 300 bucks...there is a community college 6 minutes away - they never heard of it!

[IgnoranceIsStrength]

12:38 PM on 07/04/2012

Community Colleges in my area are designed to extract as much money from the student as possible. In the 70's you could graduate from a Comm Col with 60 credits and now its 90 credits. Most of those credits will not transfer to another state college. The credits also now have expirations dates, after 3 years you have to take them over again. Degree programs also have choke points such as courses that are offered once a year with limited enrollment. If you don't get in you have to wait a year and some of your other courses expire requiring more of your time and cash.

[Trustfunded1]

12:16 AM on 07/04/2012

Hope sells

[justwhendoesitend]

12:00 AM on 07/04/2012

It would be good if the demand for jobs went up first. I have 3 degrees one being from a CC and it was the last one I got. My engineering jobs went overseas so I fell back to HVAC for 3 years, now back in engineering. But I do not see any trends in numbers of 18-28 age group being hired any where. Glad to see this man pro-active, that is what it takes, but employers have to start hiring first.

[BBackSoon]

04:10 PM on 07/04/2012

No doubt. The jobs that are available are for Experienced workers willing to work for less. Not kids right out of school.

[nwlover]

06:53 PM on 07/03/2012

Community colleges can help a lot more than those with high school diplomas only. Perhaps a few liberal arts grads can use some training for a real job. You've heard the saying--"I have a liberal arts degree. Would you like fries with that?"

[BBackSoon]

04:09 PM on 07/04/2012

Give us an example of a liberal arts grad.