SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about – and of interest to – Washington state community and technical colleges
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SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS
GET program proves its worth for Rainier family featured in 2001 ad
In 2001 Mike and Rebecca Stillings invested in the state Guaranteed Education Tuition Program for the college education of their 5-year-old son, Connor. … Connor is 18, a senior at Rainier High School and a Running Start student at South Puget Sound Community College.
The Olympian, April 24, 2014
http://www.theolympian.com/2014/04/24/3100417/get-program-proves-its-worth.html?sp=/99/101/
Cascadia pledges to support student veterans
Students, employees, and state officials gathered at Cascadia Community College this week to witness the signing of a document expressing a commitment between the college and the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs to work together to support student veterans.
Bothell Reporter, April 23, 2014
http://www.bothell-reporter.com/news/256386241.html
Proposal for new building at Big Bend college tops funding list
A new building for Big Bend Community College topped a list for funding. The proposal was ranked first on a 2015-2017 state funding priority list for new major projects among community colleges. The Professional/Technical Education Center, if funded, will be the largest capital project in the college’s history.
iFiberOne News, April 23, 2014
http://www.ifiberone.com/news/proposal-for-new-building-at-big-bend-college-tops-funding/article_cb457dd6-cb2b-11e3-85d5-001a4bcf6878.html
WWCC Skill Steps Program graduates earn diplomas
Several Washington State leaders were in town Tuesday night to celebrate the accomplishments of students in our area. A group of Walla Walla Community College students received their GED's Tuesday evening through the Skill Steps Program. It's designed for 18 to 24-year old's who are at risk or feel like they won't succeed in the traditional school setting.
KLEW, April 23, 2014
http://www.klewtv.com/news/local/Skill-Steps-Program-256391281.html
Area Boy Scouts achieve Eagle Rank Recommendation
Michael Choquer of Boy Scout Troop 310 led a group of scouts and adult volunteers in constructing and installing tree protectors at Leverich Park. Choquer, 16, is the son of Marian and John Choquer. He is a junior at CAM Academy in Battle Ground and a freshman at Clark College.
The Reflector, April 23, 2014
http://www.thereflector.com/youth_focus/article_e8e9dbb4-ca6a-11e3-9a13-0019bb2963f4.html
Latino research project finds strengths, weaknesses in local programs
Staff and students at Lincoln High School know its health center has helped improve student morale and well-being, while increasing academic performance. But despite its successes, the center struggles for funding, relying on grants and donations to keep operating. That’s a problem Whitman College students hoped to help address through community-based research. Students enrolled in Professor Paul Apostolidis’ State of the State for Washington Latinos class spent fall semester studying programs and issues which affect Latinos around the state and in Walla Walla, including the Alternative Education Program at Walla Walla Community College, and ways the INK-OUT tattoo removal program could better help former gang members.
Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, April 22, 2014
http://union-bulletin.com/news/2014/apr/22/latino-research-project-finds-strengths-weaknesses/
TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION
Public Sees College as More Than Just Job Preparation, Report Says
Rhetoric from policy makers may focus on the need to ensure that college graduates are competitive in the workplace, but students, faculty members, and others engaged in higher education take a more expansive view of the value of a degree, a new report from the Kettering Foundation and the National Issues Forums Institute suggests. College, they said, shouldn’t be just about picking up job skills but should expose students to new ideas and diverse fields and should encourage critical thinking.
The Chronicle of Higher Education, April 24, 2014
What Do the People Want?
Americans might take a more nuanced view of higher education than the agendas advanced by the politicians they elect, according to a report released today based on 115 forums conducted across the country.
The survey – a joint project of Public Agenda, the Kettering Foundation, and the National Issues Forum – found participants were alarmed by debt, but not government spending; didn’t want the country's colleges and universities to abandon philosophy and the liberal arts as it focuses on science, technology, engineering and math; and were struggling to balance the pros and cons of a traditional four-year degree. Primary results were made public in February.
Inside Higher Ed, April 24, 2014
Grating Expectations
A new study examines some of the problems faced by female college administrators and details their feelings that women face more scrutiny and different expectations than men.
Inside Higher Ed, April 24, 2014
College is for learning, not debt
A year ago, I was where many parents are right now. My daughter, Monique Olivia, was faced with the decision of where to attend college. I’ll admit I was pretty adamant leading up to the choice that many families have to make by May 1, which is the deadline for accepted students to declare where they will attend college. No student loans.
Everett Herald, April 23, 2014
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20140423/BIZ/140429664/College-is-for-learning-not-debt
Transfer After First Earning an Associate Degree
Community college students who earn an associate degree before transferring to a four-year institution are more likely to earn a bachelor's degree than their peers who transfer without one, according to new research from the Community College Research Center at Columbia University's Teachers College. After controlling for background characteristics, the study found that transfer students with associate degrees were 49 percent more likely to complete a bachelor’s degree within four years, and 22 percent more likely to earn one within six years.
Inside Higher Ed, April 23, 2014
How Has Mich.’s Ban on Affirmative Action Affected Minority Enrollment?
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday amendment banning race-conscious admissions. Although the decision didn’t directly address the constitutionality of race-conscious admissions policies, the dissenting opinion, written by Justice Sonia M. Sotomayor, cited student-demographic data as proof that the ban, which went into effect in 2008, has adversely affected minority enrollment and diversity at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Justice Sotomayor may not be wrong, but the numbers are a bit more complicated than they may seem.
The Chronicle of Higher Education, April 23, 2014
10 states where taxpayers get the best bang for their buck: 4. Washington
Average annual state and local taxes: $3,823. If you can overlook the heavy rainfall, there’s another reason to enjoy the hospitality of the Pacific Northwest: It ranks No. 4 for return on investment for taxpayers and No. 8 in terms of government services in health care. However, it only ranks 44th out of all the U.S. states for public education and universities. Washington state is also one of seven states that doesn’t levy a personal income tax (nor does it collect franchise or corporate income tax).
Wall Street Journal, April 23, 2014
WWU’s president is right: The world is changing; deal with it
It surely wasn’t his intent, but talk-radio shock jock Glenn Beck gave Exhibit A last week of why Western Washington University President Bruce Shepard is so worried about the future of his school.
The Seattle Times, April 23, 2014
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2023435354_westneat23xml.html
We’re a well-educated state — but why?
A new national report by the Lumina Foundation shows Washington’s college-attainment rate is better than the national average. But because there’s not enough state-wide detail, it’s hard to know if this report merely shows that Washington businesses have been very successful at recruiting well-educated people, who grew up elsewhere, to work here.
The Seattle Times, April 22, 2014
http://blogs.seattletimes.com/educationlab/2014/04/22/were-a-well-educated-state-but-why/
Job market for college grads better but still weak
With college commencement ceremonies nearing, the government is offering a modest dose of good news for graduating seniors: The job market is brightening for new grads — a bit. But finding work — especially a dream job — remains tough for those just graduating. Many are settling for jobs outside their fields of study or for less pay than they’d expected or hoped for.
Everett Herald, April 22, 2014
Guest: What do you mean by ‘STEM’?
It’s been about 20 years since the term STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) was first introduced by the National Science Foundation. The original goal was to consolidate and promote the concerns of various interest groups all seeking better technical education and literacy. Today, STEM programs are everywhere, but their definitions and goals have morphed and their impacts have been difficult to assess.
The Seattle Times, April 22, 2014
http://seattletimes.com/html/opinion/2023428854_glennhampsonopedstem22xml.html
State Rep. Jason Overstreet calls for WWU president's resignation over 'less white' comment
State Rep. Jason Overstreet has called for the resignation of Western Washington University President Bruce Shepard, after a question and blog post about making WWU less "white" in the future drew negative attention to the school.
Bellingham Herald, April 22, 2014
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2014/04/22/3602513/state-rep-jason-overstreet-calls.html?sp=/99/100/&ihp=1
POLITICS | LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL
Superintendent Randy Dorn offers his own school funding plan
State lawmakers face a deadline of April 30 to report to the state Supreme Court on their plan for fully funding basic education by 2018. Now state schools chief Randy Dorn is suggesting what the report should say. The elected state superintendent of public instruction on Monday proposed an ambitious $6.7 billion plan.
The News Tribune, April 22, 2014
47 states spend less on college students than they did in 2008
Here's a simple reason why student debt has increased so much over the past seven years: state governments cutting support to higher education. In-state tuition at public colleges has historically been a bargain for students because taxpayers paid a big portion of the cost of their education. But states cut back their spending per student during the Great Recession, and the damage is starting to look permanent.
Vox, April 21, 2014
http://www.vox.com/cards/student-debt/47-states-spend-less-on-college-students-than-did-in-2008
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