Category: Research/Policy

2014, College Access, Research/Policy, ROI/College Outcomes, Student Success

A White House Summit on College Opportunity

By Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & CEO, Educational Policy Institute This morning, the President and First Lady spoke at the White House Summit on College Opportunity. This was their bully pulpit push to expand postsecondary opportunity, especially to low-income and first-generation students. First Lady Michele Obama spoke about the “limitless capacity” that lies in our young people and reminded us that education is a two-way … Continue reading A White House Summit on College Opportunity

Unknown's avatarEducational Policy InstituteLeave a comment
2013, Research/Policy

Peace Corp II? Time to Reimagine our National Service Programs

By Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & CEO, Educational Policy Institute I began this morning by reading an article in the Washington Post about the trouble institutions of higher education are having filling freshman seats, noting that college admissions have dropped two percent over the last year. The reasons are plenty, but the article points to the challenges of college costs on families as the primary … Continue reading Peace Corp II? Time to Reimagine our National Service Programs

Unknown's avatarEducational Policy Institute2 Comments
2013, K12, Research/Policy

Gone Viral—The Hidden Agenda of a High School Student’s YouTube Video

By Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & CEO, Educational Policy Institute Last week, a video of a high school student in Tennessee went viral. The student, Ethan Young, made an extraordinarily impressive statement to the Knox County School Board about the challenges and problems with Common Core Standards. Anyone who watches the video will undoubtedly be impressed by this young man’s oratorical skills. I immediately wanted … Continue reading Gone Viral—The Hidden Agenda of a High School Student’s YouTube Video

Unknown's avatarEducational Policy Institute3 Comments
2013, College Affordability, Financial Aid, Research/Policy

College for Free? Not Really…

by Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & CEO, Educational Policy Institute A few weeks ago, InsideHigherEd.com reported about the Oregon’s proposal to eliminate tuition fees at public colleges and universities. That statement, in isolation, isn’t exactly factual. Nothing is for free, is it? Or, at least, nothing good is generally for free. And the Oregon plan is not remotely close to free. What Oregon plans to … Continue reading College for Free? Not Really…

Unknown's avatarEducational Policy Institute1 Comment
2013, College Access, College Affordability, Financial Aid, K12, Research/Policy

Addressing our Higher Education Woes

by Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & CEO, Educational Policy Institute I am stunned how many really bright people still want to fix college during the college years. OK, let’s back up. What do I mean? The biggest challenges with college, with regard to college access and completion, occur way, way before a student approaches matriculation. College access is fundamentally about academic preparation. All other … Continue reading Addressing our Higher Education Woes

Unknown's avatarEducational Policy Institute1 Comment