This report reviews the academic literature on human capital development and the relationship between education outcomes and lifetime earnings
Education
A high-quality K-12 educational system is a critical component of ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive in adulthood. It needs to impart basic skills and knowledge, like reading, writing, and math, and empower students to secure a good job upon graduating. That’s why graduating high school is the first step of the rightly-celebrated “success sequence.”
Unfortunately, our current K-12 public education system is failing too many students and parents. Despite spending an average of more than $16,00 per student annually, many students are behind in reading, writing, and math proficiencies. The students suffering the most are those most in need: children from low-income households.
Government subsidized college and university has enabled public universities to explode their price tags, while softening their grading standards, leaving students with mountains of debt and unprepared for the workforce.
America needs a career-first education system that helps all children reach their potential in adulthood, including by preparing children for the workforce or succeeding in postsecondary education. At the same time, it should set aside its broken degree-first model.
The United States should give parents the power to choose high-quality learning environments for their children. Post-secondary education should focus on ensuring students get skills valued by employers. Colleges should focus on degrees that will prepare students for in-demand careers and help them build a better future. Families also need to understand the return on investment to assess the potential value of going to college.
All Education
Recommendations for the next administration and the 119th Congress
Recommendations for the next administration and the 119th Congress
Recommendations for the next administration and the 119th Congress
Higher education is supposed to be a path to the middle class. But new research from FREOPP shows that millions of college students are pursuing degrees that are not likely to boost their earnings enough to justify the cost of college.
The project incorporates data from a wide range of sources to help prospective students make better choices around higher education — including whether to go, where to go, and what to study.
While prospective students often ask themselves if college is worth it, this report shows the more important question is when college is worth it.
The College Cost Reduction Act would hold colleges and universities financially responsible for unpaid federal student loans while delivering direct aid to institutions with low prices and strong student outcomes.