Sunday, August 26, 2012
Reviving the American University With an 80% Rule
Forbes: Reviving the American University In One Easy Step:
Out of the lively discussion around my article, Killing–And Reviving–The American University in Five Easy Steps, came an interesting suggestion that could go a long way to fixing the situation in one easy step.Debra Leigh Scott suggests that just as health care system is being required to show that 80% of healthcare insurance is spent on actual health care, rather than administration, so the university should be required to spend at least 80% of its budget on actual education, rather than administration, entertainment, sports and luxury amenities.
(Hat Tip: Greg McNeal.)
http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2012/08/reviving-.html
But that begs the question what is involved in getting an education? Are we interested in educating just the mind in the classroom, or are we trying to educate the whole person - to help them grow and develop into the best person they can be? Taken more broadly, a case can be made for all university activities (particularly entertainment if that includes the arts, and sports). Those who limit their lives to classroom education have a vested interest in defining education as limited to what happens in the classroom. I think most parents would not be that interested in a school that takes such a narrow approach to education. I know I would not be.
Posted by: From a teacher | Aug 26, 2012 12:58:46 PM