A Toast to a Lower Drinking Age

by Watson Scott Swail, Ed.D., President, Educational Policy Institute On July 17, 1984, the National Minimum Drinking Age Act was passed by Congress and signed by President Reagan. Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) was a major proponent of the law, and, due in large part to their involvement, the Act was passed with the caveat that if states did not follow the law they would … Continue reading A Toast to a Lower Drinking Age

The Age Old Question

By Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute How old is too old? Not as in, are you too old to still go out for Halloween? But as in: when should someone hang it up? As we continue to extend lifespans, and as the looming economic challenges with social security keep growing, organizations and governments need to deal with the issue of age … Continue reading The Age Old Question

Making the World Seem a Little Worse, Day by Day

By Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute Earlier today Secretary of State John Kerry made comments on terrorism and the media. Here is what he said: Remember this: No country is immune from terrorism. It’s easy to terrorize. Government and law enforcement have to be correct 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. But if you decide … Continue reading Making the World Seem a Little Worse, Day by Day

Improving Minority Student Participation and Retention in Higher Education.

By Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute Back in 2005, I was asked by the Colorado Department of Higher Education to conduct a workshop and provide a Q&A on improving minority participation in higher education. This was on the heels of my 2003 Jossey-Bass publication, Retaining Minority Students in Higher Education with friends and colleagues Laura Perna and Ken Redd. I came across … Continue reading Improving Minority Student Participation and Retention in Higher Education.

College Brand X, Inc.

By Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute It seems everywhere one turns these days there is a college or school district advertising for a branding company to help them with marketing. I literally see 3-5 RFPs a week requesting these services, mostly at the postsecondary level. I find this trend somewhat disturbing on a number of levels. On the whole, there is … Continue reading College Brand X, Inc.