It’s not surprising that an institution of higher learning would lean towards this perspective, but you’d be surprised how many people have a university education and can’t do basic spreadsheet management like “vlookup”.
What if we saw education as a perpetual process, rather that “x” years and done? How better prepared would our workforce be for what’s next! Think about it! Textbooks are updated every three years but there is no requirement to recertify skills.
The article argues that condensed programs will adversely affect underrepresented groups. Those with more resources will still get the benefit of four year programs and the less advantaged will be funneled through programs the article suggests are “less than”. But what if we placed a higher value on these programs. What if the length of these programs gave learner the agility to pursue education beyond four years in a more dynamic way?
We can’t reimagine education, without reimagining how we evaluate it.
As it stands a bachelors degree is the standard. But is “four years and done”, with no recertification requirement the best way forward in this era of accelerated change?
What say you?