It was written by Marc. . . . So: What is education about? Are small, liberal arts institutions going to go away? Is education ever going to be valued again for its own sake? Did we really sign up to teach high school? (Not that I don't value high school educators! I just don't think I have the stamina to do it.)
The discussion started by Marc with contributions by Gary, Paul, and others is interesting, and I think that many of us have thought about what education is all about today and where it seems to be headed. I have been teaching for 35 years now within the context of small liberal arts, large midwestern university, small Catholic, large community college, and regional campus institutions. I started in 1970 and am still currently teaching full-time at a regional campus. Currently, at the behest of our new President, there are conversations of the role of the regional campuses which has led me to think even more about these questions.
I think that we are moving toward a 3 tier structure of education. At the top level will be those schools such as the Ivies, some highly regarded small liberal arts colleges (and I dare not mention any specific one because there are quite a few and I don't want to create a maelstrom of protest that one wasn't included) and the major research universities (many of which have shown an increase in their overall SAT scores and many more applicants than they have spaces). These institutions will continue to provide education for most of those who will go on to be members of the academy and those who will continue to do much of the research done in this country.
The second level will be the regional campuses (reflected here in Indiana by the regionals for both Indiana University and Purdue University and in some states like Pennsylvania by the state schools which started primarily as teacher training institutions and are now classified as state universities) and the other liberal arts institutions which may not have the same kind of reputation as those in category one to allow them to attract students of the high level of ability seen in the first tier schools. These institutions will probably be the ones who suffer most in regard to what their mission really is because most of the faculty really do believe in the "liberal education" ideals and are trying to cope with the problems that many of their students bring with them.
The third level will be the community colleges/technical schools which are providing education in many areas that were traditionally taught at 4 year institutions (e.g., Associate degrees in nursing). My experience is that these faculty understand their mission and that even those in the traditional liberal arts disciplines understand that they are working with two groups of people -- those who are at the community college to gain the information/skills they need to get a job, and those who are using the community college to get their general education requirements completed at an institution that is cheaper (and perhaps a bit easier) than the other two tiers.
Of course, this is only my reflection over a 35 year career. I would also be interested to learn what others think about these very important questions.
Dr. Bob Wildlbood Lecturer in Psychology Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo, IN 56904-9003 [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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