Weathering Education…

By Watson Scott Swail, President and CEO, Educational Policy Institute I have been burdened with a week in Southern California. Tough gig. First in Dana Point attending the College Board’s Annual Colloquium, followed by a Conference Sponsored by the University of Southern California. Just to put this in perspective, it was 22F when I left Virginia; 76 here. Tough gig. My key take-aways from both events, … Continue reading Weathering Education…

Robin Hood Gone Bad

By Watson Scott Swail, President and CEO of Educational Policy Institute and EPI International Most of us are glad that 2009 has passed. It was, in the words of the Queen Elizabeth II in 1992, an annus horribilis. You can do the translation. The economy tanked, states were in severe budget situations, and the Administration and Congress battled with budgets and ways to support the economy without … Continue reading Robin Hood Gone Bad

And So This is Christmas…

By Watson Scott Swail, President and CEO, Educational Policy Institute Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all. This time of year always provides us with an opportunity to slow down (ok, not always) and take stock of what we’ve witnessed or accomplished during the past twelve months. In many ways, this has been a year less about education and more about nation building and politics. The … Continue reading And So This is Christmas…

The Accountability Dilemma

By Watson Scott Swail, President and CEO, Educational Policy Institute As I’ve often reported and discussed, the age of accountability has dawned in higher education. For literally centuries, higher education has been a self-audited society that has decided if it is good and accountable. But those days are gone. Stemming in part from the pressures from K-12’s No Child Left Behind legislation and part from the … Continue reading The Accountability Dilemma

Balancing State Budgets and Educational Priorities: Pass the Aspirin

By Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute I had the pleasure yesterday of presenting at The Council of State Government’s Annual Conference in Palm Springs, California (and yes, I now want to move to Palm Springs). This event brings together approximately 600 legislators and staff to talk about issues impacting states and the nation. And while the people and resort were most … Continue reading Balancing State Budgets and Educational Priorities: Pass the Aspirin