Friends,
Welcome to the inaugural edition of my new biweekly newsletter!
I’m pleased to announce, what many of you already know, that I have just joined the education policy studies team at the American Enterprise Institute. I’m thrilled to be a part of such an esteemed crew and look forward to continuing my work from this new perch.
Without further ado, let’s go.
Here’s what I’ve had to say lately:
On free community college. I told the National Interest that I didn’t expect much movement on this issue soon, though I also didn’t see it being as hot of a political issue as some of the other items in Biden’s higher education agenda.
On a Biden rejecting a student loan jubilee. When asked about how he would work to pass a $50,000 plus student loan jubilee, President Biden plainly replied that he wouldn’t. His response, which came across a bit harsh (even to someone who wholeheartedly agrees), was “I will not make that happen.” I told theNational Interest that Biden will likely see push-back from his colleagues on the far-left. This is the first time that his opposition has been made so clear.
While I believe Biden’s plan (to forgive just $10,000 in student debt) is too generous, it isn’t too far off from what I’ve proposed myself. I just hope the president and Congress will pair an overhaul of the existing safety net (i.e. the income driven repayment plans) with any giveaways.
Here’s what I’m watching and learning about:
No love for apprenticeships: This week the Biden Administration stated intentions to slash a Trump-era apprenticeship initiative (the Industry-Run Apprenticeships Program) that doesn’t provide any direct funding but was instead meant to encourage private investment in work-based education.
The most concerning aspect of this announcement is that it reflects favoritism of traditional higher education and degrees over more innovative (read: cost effective) models of getting Americans trained for careers. Representative Virginia Foxx didn’t mince words on the issue: “Ending this innovative and successful program is mind-boggling. Americans are eager to get back to work. We have a tool to help them achieve that goal, but President Biden is putting an end to it.” I’d have to agree.
That’s all for this week. In future editions, you can expect to see my musings and commentary on all things higher education and workforce related, with a bit of labor economics thrown in for good measure.
I always welcome your feedback or comments on the issues I raise in the newsletter or through any of my other work. If there’s an issue you’d like me to address please send it along and I’ll do my best to include it in a future edition.
Take care and be nice to each other!
Beth
beth.akers@aei.org
Author of Making College Pay (May 2021)
I just subscribed. Looking forward to reading this. Here is my newsletter. https://hechingerreport.org/proofpoints/ I look at many of the same topics.
You're off to a great start, Beth! Thanks for a candid, quick, informative update.