We say “yes” to higher education!
Really?! Now a Presidential candidate is questioning a national commitment to access to higher education?! Rick Santorum maintains that college leads to an indoctrination that denies faith. His life is evidence against this. He attended college. In fact, he attended three: Pennsylvania State, University of Pittsburgh, and Dickinson. Through it all, he has maintained a strong Catholic conservatism. If he can withstand the liberalism he so loathes and fears through his pursuit of multiple higher education degrees, why assume others canââ¬â¢t? And if a potential college student shares this concern about ââ¬Åliberal collegesââ¬Â s/he could attend a religious college. As a Catholic, Santorum has to know that such colleges exist. The journey of life ââ¬âwhether or not one attends college ââ¬â will bring challenges to identify, faith, and personal traditions.
In the 21st century, all evidence suggests that the only way for young people to effectively sustain a life that resembles Santorumââ¬â¢s, e.g. family sustaining wage (especially with one wage earner), meaningful employment, secure housing and health care, etc., they must have a degree beyond a high school diploma. College has to be part of the journey from youth to adulthood in America. (And for those who are adults without post-secondary degrees or credentials, they are quickly learning that college isnââ¬â¢t just for the young!)
Mr. Obama has no interest in remaking Americans in his image: a nation of people with multiple degrees. (Or would this be Santorumââ¬â¢s image?) As President of the United States of America, his concern, and the concern we should all share, is that the jobs of today and increasingly the jobs of the future demand credentials beyond a high school diploma or GED. Without this level of education attainment, America and Americans will be left behind. If our young people do not have earn a post-secondary credential they will constantly hit barriers in employment. That image is untenable.
Santorum benefited from his access to higher education. President Obama argues that everyone in America should have this same opportunity. If Santorum takes himself and his faith seriously, he should heed the call to ââ¬Ådo unto others.ââ¬Â
Related News: Alliance for Excellent Education Video Briefing
Getting and Staying on Track: The Economic Benefits of Ensuring Success for the Nationââ¬â¢s Most Off-Track Students, December 14, 2011