NCAA Division 1 Qualifier Scale

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takethepoints said:
Amen. One of our problems is that actual solutions cost money. And, since these are usually for public goods, that means higher taxes. As I've pointed out before, Americans continue to call for Swedish-level social services for Mississippi-level taxes.

The usual excuse for not ponying up is that there is plenty of "fraud and waste" in government and, if we cleared that up, the cash would be there. Really? I mean, really!?! This particular hobby-horse has been ridden by conservative pols for over four decades now. And we all know what it means: not campaigns against "fraud and waste", but an excuse for reducing government services. Including those connected with education; arguably, the most important function of government in modern times. But the Sweden for Mississippi equation continues to have its charms, particularly in this part of the country. So we find our governments continuing to reduce necessary educational expenses and hoping that "something will turn up." (The Mr. Micawber reference is intentional.)

This, to be frank, is no way to run a railroad. What we should do is make a concerted effort to copy the educations systems in Massachusetts or Connecticut throughout the whole country. Given the variation across the nation in resources, this would take a considerable national effort. But that is what other countries (Poland, for instance) are doing. We need to do it or we will end up competing with Brazil. And losing.

Source: https://www.epi.org/publication/bri...or-improving-u-s-education-policy/#epi-toc-23

Mods: if you want to move this, go ahead. If you can think of a place for it, that is.
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I call that pajama boy socialism - they want the benefits of socialism, but without having to pay for it out of the *** like they do over there.

I think the best answer is going to continue to be a blended approach - grades, tests, extracurriculars, interviews - nothing is perfect.
 

takethepoints

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bwelbo said:
I call that pajama boy socialism - they want the benefits of socialism, but without having to pay for it out of the *** like they do over there.

I think the best answer is going to continue to be a blended approach - grades, tests, extracurriculars, interviews - nothing is perfect.
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At one time I might have agreed. Now, I think what we need to do is resurrect the pre-Reagan University of California model. That means:

• A virtual guarantee that any high school grad whose parents earn a decent living (or are willing to go into hock) and has the chops can a) enter a college and b) that the family can afford the tuition. This is different than the free college tuition idea; you want the students and their families to have some skin in the game and this is more affordable. It also presupposes a hierarchy of colleges for students with different goals and abilities. (Most everybody has done this already.)

• A building program to create the infrastructure that can accommodate and educate the students.

• Seeing post-secondary education as a public good: more college grads means more economic flexibility and higher innovation.

I don't know if this framework actually requires either HSGPA or tests. What it requires is ambition for the students and their families and - wait for it - the willingness to pony up in taxes to pay for it. When the students get into college, they sink or swim.
 
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