An interesting perspective: Do you have a hand in this?

 by Olga LaPlante

I am a dy/dan blog reader, and recently there has been a post about bloggers – especially the successful ones – who unknowingly become part of a game to improve money flow to certain institutions. If you are a blogger and don't want to improve the third party's bottom line in this way, you may be interested in learning more: http://blog.mrmeyer.com/?p=9672.
I would love to hear other people's thoughts about this one!

Elite Colleges

America's 25 New Elite 'Ivies'
Business Week: I Can Get Your Child into an Ivy
The Value of an Elite College
Amazon: The Power of Privilege: Yale and America's Elite Colleges
Wikipedia: Social Class in America

Higher Education and the Future

"How Web-Savvy Edupunks Are Transforming American Higher Education

Crowdsourcing at Duke University

Credentials: Western Governors University

Wikipedia: Credentialing


Questions:

• Does the Maine Department of Education recognize degrees from places such as Western Governors University?

• Should traditional colleges/universities have a monopoly on credentialing?

Diploma Requiring College Application

"Education Commissioner Susan Gendron said Friday that she wants every high school senior to apply to college before being eligible for a diploma." ~ Sun-Journal

Apparently it is being recommended to the legislature that in order to graduate from high school, the student must apply to a college.

See full Sun-Journal article.
Bangor Daily News article
Portland Press Herald: College Aspirations the Key to Maine's Future Prosperity - George Mitchell & Speaker Glenn Cummings
Maine Government News: College Applications to Become High School Graduation Requirement

Should governments have this power? What do you think?

Some background information: The Maine Compact - College for ME

Who's Who - Board of Directors List, Staff - Executive Director: Henry Bourgeois, Sponsors/Funders
University of Maine System Online Application for Admission
Informational Letter # 31 saying that the requirement would be to fill out the application, not necessarily actually apply to a college.

Another Viewpoint:

The Big Con in Education: Why Must "All" High School Graduates Be Prepared for College?
Center for the Study of Jobs & Education in Wisconsin and United States - Dennis W. Redovich
Interview with Dennis W. Redovich
Is University Necessary for All?
Google Answers: Is College Necessary?