Changing Higher Education

Economic mobility and family income in the US

Economic mobility - children being able to rise to a higher economic position than their parents - is a central part of the American dream. Unfortunately, the reality is that there is less economic mobility in the US than our national narrative supposes. Recently released data on multi year trends in family income suggest that this situation is is not likely to improve in the near future.

Economic mobility in many developed countries was described in a recent OECD report. This report demonstrated that the United States has lower economic mobility than most other members of the OECD:

Is Semester Online the beginning of the revolution?

I was delighted by the Inside Higher Education report that 10 top ranked universities have joined with 2U (formerly 2tor) to form a consortium called Semester Online:

Semester Online is the first-of-its-kind program to offer rigorous, online, for-credit undergraduate courses through a consortium of top-tier colleges and universities. The program will be delivered through a virtual classroom environment and interactive platform developed by 2U, formerly known as 2tor.

Semester Online courses will feature primarily the same faculty and curricula as their brick-and-mortar counterparts. Students will experience a state-of-the-art virtual classroom, including live class sessions that connect students and renowned professors; compelling, richly produced, self-paced course materials; and a strong social network that allows students to collaborate and build relationships online.

Students will have the chance to take advantage of unique course offerings from some of the most prestigious institutions in the country, courses they would not otherwise have access to. They will be able to work, travel, participate in off-campus research programs or manage personal commitments that in the past would have meant putting their studies on hold.

Credit will be awarded by the consortium member that provides the course, which will also determine admissions requirements for the course.  

The reason that I found this announcement exciting is tied to an article I wrote long ago and far away.