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Report evaluates higher education |
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Monday, 09 October 2006 |
by HEATHER SANDERS
News Reporter
Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings’ Commission on the Future of Higher Education released a report last month stating recommendations to improve higher education.
The
recommendations include proposals for accessibility, affordability and
accountability, which means compiling data about student success for
public access.
“It will have some impact on what we do,” Provost Dr. Stan A. Aeschleman said.
However, he said Appalachian State University will make no changes within the next year.
According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, the percentage
of college graduates who are proficient in reading and comprehension
decreased from 40 percent in 1992 to 31 percent in 2003.
The commission reported employers are not satisfied with students’ critical thinking and problem solving skills.
“We need to do a better job,” Aeschleman said.
He said Appalachian is already trying to work on the problem with the
General Education Task Force and by assigning designators, such as
writing or speaking, to classes.
However, the commission suggests standardized tests be administered to college students to determine their learning progress.
“The problem with [the test] is student motivation,” Aeschleman said.
“If it’s not in a class, how do we know students will perform at their
best?”
He said the purpose of the tests is for universities to show that its students can write proficiently and think critically.
“We need to be able to document that your diploma verifies that you have those abilities,” Aeschleman said.
Alicia Escobar, senior psychology major, said she doesn’t think standardized tests are the answer.
“Every major should have a mandatory internship, along with your classes,” Escobar said.
“We have a lot of services students should take advantage of that will help them prepare for the workforce,” she said.
One resource is the Career Development Center, which helps students develop their resumes and find jobs.
Assistant Director Lynette Orbovich said she’s found employers are favorable toward hiring Appalachian students.
Orbovich said the job market is the best it has been for college graduates and new hires since 2000.
“If students are apprehensive, they should take advantage of our
resources so they can feel confident when they leave school,” Orbovich
said.
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