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Education Cuts Will Stunt Economy

Congress needs to get states cash to keep universities healthy

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 9, 2009 9:03 AM CDT

(Newser) – Education has been the most important component of America's economic success over the past 150 years, writes Paul Krugman—that is public education. But after 30 years of Reaganite opposition to public spending, we've seen a "slow-motion erosion" of America's educational standing, until what we think is the "the great land of college education" actually has fallen behind many other countries in graduation rates. Current state budget crises and Congress stripping federal aid from the stimulus package have made things dramatically worse.

Over the past five months, 143,000 jobs in state and local education have disappeared—a sobering statistic, since "education should, and normally does, keep growing even during a recession." The New York Times columnist says we're doing a lifetime's worth of damage to young Americans who only a few years ago would have used college as a springboard to better lives. Congress needs to get more funding to state governments to keep universities afloat. "Education made America great," Krugman writes; "neglect of education can reverse the process."

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One of multiple rallies on campuses of the University of California to protest budget cuts, September 24, 2009. (AP Photo / Russel A. Daniels)

Students, professors and other employees at the University of California's 10 campuses rally to protest deep budget cuts that have led to layoffs, furloughs, course reductions and higher fees. (AP Photo / Russel A. Daniels)

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Most people, I suspect, still have in their minds an image of America as the great land of college education. But these days young Americans are considerably less likely than young people in many other countries to graduate from college. -

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 8 comments

bewilderbeast

Oct 10, 2009 12:10 PM CDT

Who's opinion was this? "Most people, I suspect, still have in their minds an image of America as the great land of college education". NOT. Definitely not most people outside America, anyway. We believe there are some (a few) great American universities, and then there are MANY (95%) crap colleges. And then there are degrees you get simply by paying your money. MANY other countries have universities better than your 95%ers, and some have universities equal to and better than your topnotch ones. Believe it.

freethemall

Oct 9, 2009 8:06 AM CDT

I wonder if it ever occurs to those who pontificate on the value of education, that not everybody has the same ability to learn, and that, consequently, some will "be left behind" so to speak. Expressed metaphorically, you can't get rid of the valleys, and yet keep the mountain peaks. Not recognizing this basic fact, results in classroom disruptions and discipline problems. It's past time that we acknowledge that not every vocation requires a college education. There will always be menial tasks and dirty jobs that need to be done. These jobs are, nevertheless, necessary, important, and honorable. The key, is to pay those who perform these task a living wage. These jobs should not be filled by desperate individuals who have immigrated illegally from third world countries, and are, therefore, at the mercy of those who employ them.

kyleleitch

Oct 9, 2009 6:32 AM CDT

Really? Because I've been trying HARD for over a year and I can't seem to find a job that 'doesn't take a lot of intelligence.'

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education • university • Paul Krugman • colleges and universities • economic stimulus package • American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

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Education Cuts Will Stunt Economy