Higher education in the United States has been on a downward trend of late. Challenges have been there even in the past but they can’t match what the students and higher education stakeholders are facing today.
Not every student who enrolls on campus ends up graduating. A number of them do not finish their college education because they have low-income backgrounds. Settling university fees and affording other learning requirements is their major challenge. Black Americans and Hispanic students are the ones affected much by low-income backgrounds.
On top of that, recently Covid 19 hit the education sector in the United States. This has been an elephant in the house and has affected all students and institutions themselves. Some of the institutions have been closed. Others have turned to online teaching which comes again with its new challenges especially to the low-income students. Also, some colleges and universities may not be equipped with the tools need to transmit education online to their students.
Despite the challenges, education will remain a great pillar in the United States and we can’t sit down without looking for solutions. Reimagining higher education in the United States should be prioritized by the education stakeholders to help in solving the present and future challenges. Below are some key elements which need to be introduced or rectified;
1. Ensure there is no discrimination in enrollment of the students in universities
In the United States blacks, Asians and Hispanics have always been discriminated against by most higher education learning institutions. Whites are being given priority. This should not be the case, to reimagining higher education every student should get equal opportunity. The needy students who are mostly blacks, Asians, and Hispanics should not be turned away because of the fee burden. The higher education board should make sure that they can access university and college loans easily and on time to pursue their dreams.
2. A curriculum to fit online learning should be set
Tutors and learners should not land into confusion when diverting from manual to online. A conducive mechanism for both parties should be set. Even if it means making some changes to the curriculum to fit the idea. The technology also should be fair thus providing a level playing field to all students wherever they are.
3. Higher education managers should partner with the industries
After graduating most of the learners in the United States seek employment from the existing companies and industries. Their knowledge is required to raise the standards and help those industries record higher income and profits thus drive the economy of the country. Since these industry owners know well the knowledge they require in a certain field, they should partner with the high education managers to set the education system in a way that the graduates come out with the knowledge they require.
4. Education specialization
Education specialization reduces the time spent in high institutions of learning. This is because there is no time wasted by learners focusing on studies not related to his or her career of choice. Also, colleges and universities produce graduates of high quality with immense knowledge.
Conclusion
Reimagining higher education in the United States requires a critical review on how to restructure, in case of future pandemics. The education department should rethink how to make the cost of education affordable to all regardless of their gender, race, or ethnicity.
- André Dua, Jonathan Law, Ted Rounsaville, and Nadia Viswanath(2020) Reimagining higher education in the United States. McKinsey & Company
- Emma Dorn, Bryan Hancock, Jimmy Sarakatsannis, and Ellen Viruleg, (2020)COVID-19 and learning loss—disparities grow and students need help. McKinsey & Company
- Emma Dorn, Bryan Hancock, Jimmy Sarakatsannis, and Ellen Viruleg, (2020)COVID-19 and student learning in the United States: The hurt could last a lifetime. McKinsey & Company