tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565734316555677541.post1783769021462019302..comments2023-09-20T11:00:37.211-05:00Comments on The Phytophactor: Student debt. Are universities responsible?The Phytophactorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11064894836161407416noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565734316555677541.post-12557364106531230802014-06-16T09:14:57.099-05:002014-06-16T09:14:57.099-05:00TPP has always supported the idea of a 2 year mand...TPP has always supported the idea of a 2 year mandatory national service. All parties would benefit. The Phytophactorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11064894836161407416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565734316555677541.post-45618767508161661002014-06-16T06:27:41.781-05:002014-06-16T06:27:41.781-05:00Amen. I just commented on that ridiculous article ...Amen. I just commented on that ridiculous article over at the Slate site. As a secondary educator and a college professor, Salam's position made me laugh aloud while shaking my head in disdain. I agree that many big universities don't do an adequate job at advisement (speaking from experience as a former attendee of a big box state university). However, I believe that Salam's plan will cause colleges to simply mandate that professors pass all students regardless of individual performance. Didn't go to class or turn in papers? Don't worry about it! Never passed a single assessment? No problem! It's all good. Here's your diploma. <br /><br />I already struggle with grad students who become upset when late penalties are deducted from papers turned in four days late. My peers tell me stories of students who text them wanting to be waived from 30 hour practicum requirements because "they don't have time" to do them. Amazing.<br /><br /> <br />What a shame that our society has reached a point where there is less and less accountability for students. Perhaps we should make entry requirements tougher to weed out the slackers? Could it be that all students should be on a one or two year probation period during their first year of college before being admitted to a program major? Maybe we should require 2 years of military/civil service before college entry (as does Israel)? I don't have the answer of course, but I'm pretty sure lowering the bar for students while raising the bar for universities is not the solution. <br /><br />ARhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07109463447469954968noreply@blogger.com