How have these factors led to a concern about issues of student learning and graduation?

• Week 4: Past and Present Expectations for Higher Education

  Introduction
  (/0x4*p>If you asked any administrator in higher education today about his or her primary work-related concern, they would probably say, “money.” If you asked any prospective student thinking about starting college, his or her main concern would also likely be, “money.” Ask a state legislator, and they would tell you the same thing—a concern that will be painfully evident every time state budgets for public higher education are debated. Students and families wonder why higher education costs so much, businesspeople wonder why colleges and universities can’t keep their costs under control, and college leaders wonder where they are going to get the resources to stay competitive—or even survive.

  In Week 2, you discussed higher education’s public and private benefits, and debated who should bear the responsibility for providing these benefits. Last week, you focused on the role of students in this equation. The reality, of course, is that if the costs of higher education continue to escalate, it will become more difficult for anyone—states, families, students themselves—to pay for higher education.

  This week, you will explore historical expectations for higher education, and the social, political, and economic forces that have placed increasing demands on our higher education system. You will also consider several perspectives on the rising costs of higher education, including what politicians and businesspeople are saying about the need for more efficiency and productivity in how most institutions operate.

  Application: Course Project: The Critical Components of Higher Education (Part 2)

   

  This week, you will complete the second part of your Course Project, and submit the first two parts to your Instructor for review and feedback. If needed, review the scenario presented in the Course Project Overview section of Week 1. Your task this week will be to prepare a short narrative relating business/political intereststo the board’s challenges, including a discussion of how changing social, economic, and political influences have led to the board’s concerns.

   

  Using the readings and other resources provided this week, write 23 pages on the following questions:

 

1.      How have the political and economic factors impacting higher education changed in recent years?

 

2.      How have these factors led to a concern about issues of student learning and graduation?

 

3.      Why are the board members concerned about accomplishing change without increasing costs?

 

Continue using the institutional profile you selected or created last week. You may organize your paper any way you wish, but consider using headings to help the reader follow your arguments. Be sure to include citations for the readings and resources you use as sources.

 

 

 

Formatting Your Assignment: Follow APA style to format your paper. Combine last week’s assignment with this one; include a cover page, an introduction, a conclusion, and a reference page. Use the Scholarly Writing Tutorial included in this week’s Learning Resources to get an overview of the scholarly writing process and the basics of APA citation and formatting. Continue to refer to your Scholarly Writing Checklist, Scholarly Writing Resources page, and Essential Guide to APA Style for Walden Students.

 

 

 

 

 

Assignment Length: 23 pages (Combine with Week 3for total of 46 pages)