Free Community College

[Anonymous]

Sure, I understand an educated work-force benefits all of us in the long run. I understand a 4 year college or university education is really really really expensive.

But damn, how in the HELL are we going to pay for this? Our primary education system is still fundamentally lacking and underfunded, and increasingly strained with children not paying into the system.

Is the cost of community college already so prohibitive that people who are intelligent, resourceful, hard-working, etc. can't find a way to pay for it?

People are not entitled to a college education. This idea is just ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

I agree with you 100%. I don’t think it will happen - just more pandering to the millennials.

[Anonymous]

Tennessee is rolling out a program now. It is happening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tennessee is rolling out a program now. It is happening.

Much different than it being mandated by the Fed. Govt. Many states have “free college education” for residents who have a certain grade point average. If states choose to do this, fine. When the federal government gets involved, I see it as an issue.

[Anonymous]

I think the govt should provide free all day preschool for all before this. It would be great for the children, help working women, and help the middle and lower income families.

The college price tags are insane and the prices need to be reduced. That said, our government should look at the pre-k education funding.

[Anonymous]

So let me get this straight: Under this plan, I could go to NVCC for free, do well, get an automatic transfer to a top VA college, and finish there after two years? Sign me up, suckers.

[Anonymous]

Tax the rich more, I say.

[Anonymous]

Has he bothered even addressing the rising cost of education, top heavy administrations and the lack of decent jobs for recent grads? No? Let's open the doors to more kids then.

[Anonymous]

TBH, if my taxes are going to be used to pay for "entitlements," I would rather they be used to pay for job readiness, and education so I am not opposed to this concept. I do agree with PP that subsidized pre-school that focuses on school readiness is probably a better use though.

In my view, this is low hanging fruit from a political perspective. Community college is relatively cheap so it going to be spun that the costs are not prohibitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has he bothered even addressing the rising cost of education, top heavy administrations and the lack of decent jobs for recent grads? No? Let's open the doors to more kids then.

Huh? We are talking about community colleges where the majority of students are still just getting associate's degrees and vocational certifications! Would you rather these kids not go at all? How does that help?

[Anonymous]

Once again, folks on DCUM look at issues from purely a DCUM perspective - that every kid is destined to end up at a 4 year college, etc.

Look at your CC student demographic. High concentration of vocational students. High concentration of students who are only seeking an associates degree related to a professional certification. High concentration of working students, including working parents. Sure, people will use this to eventually get to the 4 year school on the cheap - but a lot of folks do that now. CC's are still relatively cheap. For a kid taking a full load, you are talking about $3K a year. But IMO, if the student leaves with some emplyable skill that makes them self sufficient (as opposed to needing welfare), it is a worthy investment.

[Anonymous]

I think it's the greatest idea in the world! Jefferson said in essense that a well educated population is fundamental to having a successful democracy. During the greatest eras in American economic growth were also when the US had the most well educated and literate populations.

At present only 30% of Americans have four year college degrees or high. Education is the key to upward social mobility. Many students either can't afford college, are afraid of taking on debt, or ill prepared for the academic rigors of the first year of traditional college. Some students take no AP classes in high school. Now send them after graduation from high school straight to freshman year of college where they are expected to take the equivalent of five AP courses during their first semester. It's a recipe for disaster. That's why 50% of students entering college quit before ever receiving a Bachelors Degree.

There should be no negative stigma, attached to community colleges. For some it's financial and for others it's a more gradual step into college level academics.

It's an expense we tax payers can easily bear. Secondly a well educated workforce will create greater individual and national wealth translating into a broader tax base. It's a win-win concept all the way around.

Most every polytechnical university in the country was founded by corporate leaders who realized there were too few trained engineers and business managers available to run their companies. They invested in education and created the well educated workforce they needed to remain profitable.

There is no better investment we can make with our tax dollars than free community college educations for all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's the greatest idea in the world! Jefferson said in essense that a well educated population is fundamental to having a successful democracy. During the greatest eras in American economic growth were also when the US had the most well educated and literate populations.

At present only 30% of Americans have four year college degrees or high. Education is the key to upward social mobility. Many students either can't afford college, are afraid of taking on debt, or ill prepared for the academic rigors of the first year of traditional college. Some students take no AP classes in high school. Now send them after graduation from high school straight to freshman year of college where they are expected to take the equivalent of five AP courses during their first semester. It's a recipe for disaster. That's why 50% of students entering college quit before ever receiving a Bachelors Degree.

There should be no negative stigma, attached to community colleges. For some it's financial and for others it's a more gradual step into college level academics.

It's an expense we tax payers can easily bear. Secondly a well educated workforce will create greater individual and national wealth translating into a broader tax base. It's a win-win concept all the way around.

Most every polytechnical university in the country was founded by corporate leaders who realized there were too few trained engineers and business managers available to run their companies. They invested in education and created the well educated workforce they needed to remain profitable.

There is no better investment we can make with our tax dollars than free community college educations for all.

Most colleges are just an extension of high school. Morons in, morons out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Once again, folks on DCUM look at issues from purely a DCUM perspective - that every kid is destined to end up at a 4 year college, etc.

Look at your CC student demographic. High concentration of vocational students. High concentration of students who are only seeking an associates degree related to a professional certification. High concentration of working students, including working parents. Sure, people will use this to eventually get to the 4 year school on the cheap - but a lot of folks do that now. CC's are still relatively cheap. For a kid taking a full load, you are talking about $3K a year. But IMO, if the student leaves with some emplyable skill that makes them self sufficient (as opposed to needing welfare), it is a worthy investment.

Like learning how to spell employable.

[Anonymous]

If you don't have the determination to pay for your own education you shouldn't be getting one