If You Want Change, Change the Rhetoric

by Watson Scott Swail, President & CEO, Educational Policy Institute In my 30-plus years in education, I’ve seen a lot of changes. Unfortunately, they aren’t changes that have really improved much. Sure, since I graduated with my education degree back in the 1980s (that long ago?), I’ve seen the advent of the PC, the World Wide Web (as it was once known), smart boards and … Continue reading If You Want Change, Change the Rhetoric

Guns, Guns, Guns

by Watson Scott Swail, President & CEO, Educational Policy Institute Later today, the President will unveil his gun control plan, which is expected to be broad-sweeping and intrusive. The challenge is that a majority of the nation will think they aren’t extensive enough, while a large minority will claim that the law violates their constitutional rights via the second amendment. This current gun control conversation comes … Continue reading Guns, Guns, Guns

Mitt Romney, College, and our Penchant for Ivy League Presidents

I was listening (and watching) Mitt Romney’s Acceptance Speech last night at the Republican National Convention in Tampa. It was a decent political speech, and, thankfully, much better than Clint Eastwood’s effort (the octogenarian acted every bit his age and seemed off script and “lost” at points; but he could still beat the crap out of me). Romney didn’t say much about college, other than … Continue reading Mitt Romney, College, and our Penchant for Ivy League Presidents

College for All? Please….

By Watson Scott Swail, President & CEO, Educational Policy Institute In the past few weeks I have read opeds and articles from the Washington Post’s Robert Samuelson (May 27: It’s Time to Drop the College-For-All Crusade), former US Secretary of Labor Robert Reich (May 18: The Commencement Address That Won’t Be Given), Mui and Khim in the Post (May 28: College Dropouts Have Debt But … Continue reading College for All? Please….

A Fly on the Wall

By Watson Scott Swail, President & CEO, Educational Policy Institute/EPI International This coming Monday, President Obama is apparently hosting presidents from about 10 colleges and universities to have a discussion about college costs and affordability. I want to be in that room. Being a natural cynic (the best researchers, I argue, are cynics, which is why we question everything!), I want to hear first what … Continue reading A Fly on the Wall