An Olympic Challenge to Higher Education
By Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & CEO, Educational Policy Institute The opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games are always an emotional and uplifting event. The Sochi opening was no less spectacular than any previous opening ceremony, and, regardless of hotel and bathroom issues, the Russians did a simply exceptional job. After a late night in front of the TV, I woke up this morning to … Continue reading An Olympic Challenge to Higher Education
Robert Reich and College Affordability
By Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & CEO, Educational Policy Institute Last week, Robert Reich, the former Secretary of Commerce in the Clinton Administration, send this out on his Facebook account: HOW TO PAY FOR COLLEGE. This week I start teaching the second semester here at Berkeley. Many of my students and students at other universities are drowning in debt – which is distorting their career … Continue reading Robert Reich and College Affordability
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
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
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
The Swail Letter on Higher Education 