Giving Compass' Take:

• Alana Dunagan at Christensen Institute explains three misconceptions in higher education and expands on how policy changes can accurately address concerns. 

• What is the role of donors in helping advance higher education policy? 

• Here is a piece debunking the top myths about regarding higher education 

Higher education institutions are racing to keep up with the ever-evolving student and workforce demands—and policymakers have no shortage of (ostensibly) good ideas to improve the sector. But are all these good ideas as potent or as effective as the hype—or hope—promises?

In three specific buzz-inducing cases, it’s worth taking a step back to evaluate the bigger picture before policymakers create legislation or institutions alter programs that may not produce desired outcomes.

  • Misconception: Free college will solve higher ed’s access problems.
    Truth: Free college may score votes, but for most students, it doesn’t make college more accessible. Rethinking the traditional college business model could.
  • Misconception: College may not be worth it anymore.
    Truth: It depends. Factors like whether or not a student graduates or what she decides to major in matter.
  • Misconception: Career changes are frequent, so re-skilling and up-skilling are critical.
    Truth: Re-skilling and up-skilling are critical because the nature of jobs may be changing.

In other words, the ground may be shifting under our feet, but in more subtle ways than the seven-career-changes-in-a-lifetime narrative leads us to expect. Lifelong learning is essential to stay in our jobs, not necessarily because we are changing jobs constantly. This also means that re-skilling isn’t just for people changing jobs—it’s essential for everyone.

Read the full article about misconceptions about higher education policy by Alana Dunagan at Christensen Institute