College Success Blog

I believe strongly in education. I believe education can open your mind to new ideas (although sometimes the opposite happens). College can also prepare you for jobs you could not get without a college degree, but is this a good thing?

College is a door to opportunity when it teaches people new skills, makes them more productive and gives them a greater understanding of the world around them. College is a barrier to entry when it takes people away from practicing what they are already proficient at or prevents them from becoming proficient in a new area with greater possibilities.

What is a barrier to entry? In economic terms, a barrier to entry arises when people or businesses are barred from entering into a market such as a lack of “credentials” or education. A barrier to entry can be a good thing: it can raise wages and provide job stability, but it can also be used to keep working class people out of certain professions.

Abraham Lincoln became a lawyer not by going to law school, but through an apprenticeship. And we all know he went on to become one of the greatest presidents in United States history. Today, only a few states would recognize Lincoln as a lawyer. This is a shame when arguably one of the greatest presidents could not practice law because he did not worship at the ivory tower.

The line between a college education and a person’s ability to do a job competently and rise to the level of encountering a barrier to further success is well illustrated with the profession of Physical Therapy.

In 1980 a bachelor’s degree was a standard requirement for an entry-level position; currently you need a master’s and soon you will need to be educated at the doctoral level. I think it is obvious that fewer people will have the time and means to complete a doctoral program than a bachelor’s level program. While it is argued that the public will be better served if all Physical Therapists are educated at the higher level, I believe the opposite will happen.

In the 1980s a person could choose the best Physical Therapist among those with an education level greater than BSN; soon they will only be able to choose from a smaller group of doctoral level Physical Therapists.

There are many attributes that will make a person excel at his or her chosen profession, Physical Therapist or other: Dedication, work ethic, moral standards, natural skill, and experience, but all these get trumped when education is used as a barrier. The caring person who would have excelled at her/his profession but decided that education beyond a bachelor’s degree took too much time away from her children is now out of consideration. Ironically, the higher the education level needed, the fewer the people who will be able to find or afford treatment from a doctorally prepared Physical Therapist. This will lead to the population being served by Physical Therapist “assistants” with less education. Think of the last time you saw the dentist. Did you spent more time with the dentist or the dental assistant?

What is the solution? We need multiple paths to entering in every profession regardless of level of education. This would require both a written board exam and a practical examination to demonstrate proficiency. Things such as years of experience, level of skills and knowledge would then be as valuable as being good at school and having the means to support yourself (or having someone support) you through college.

The Dumb Kid

Dear Instructor

We are the serious students in your class. We work hard for our education and respect the teachers and students who appreciate this. Here are some expectations we have to make the most of our time and education.

Please:

• Show up on time. If there is audio visual equipment, show up early enough to have it set up, and please know how to use it. Or, find somebody that can use the equipment, as you provide the lecture that goes with the slideshow.
• Ensure your students show up ready and prepared. Do not cater to lazy students, there are enough serious students in the class who want to start on time to get the most out of the class.
• Dress appropriately for your age and profession. As students, and as working citizens, we are subject to so many dress codes and rules that should apply to everybody. We do not need to see stretch marks, an overabundance of skin, opinions on t-shirts, etc. We would truly show you much more respect if you looked like our teacher and not one of our friends or roommates.
• Strike the phrase “there are no stupid questions” from your vocabulary. Actually, there ARE stupid questions, they are the ones asked repeatedly by lazy, late or unprepared students.
• If you use the powerpoint that came with the textbooks, know what they cover before the lecture.
• Please control your classroom. Consider giving a quiz at the start of class so people attend on time. The late students would not be able to take the quiz (or would miss it completely) and if it affects their grade, there is more incentive to get to class on time.
• Understand the technology you use, see the first suggestion. It keeps the class running smoothly.
• Do not conduct research on your students, it is unethical. Yes, an instructor actually did this, and left the students feeling used and insulted. This person also compromised professional ethics and it’s hard to learn from an instructor you do not respect.
• Please lecture during lecture group. Projects and activities work best as assignments, not as a way to kill class time. Also please do not let any discussions get out of hand, there are some current events that can spark a lively debate, but probably do not relate to the class. We also do not need to hear about anybody’s love life, children, vehicular problems, or personal matters that may be considered too much information?

Serious students (and you will recognize us almost immediately) want respect, want to respect you as an instructor, and want the most you can give us from your course. As a result we will praise your course, recommend it to others and commend your teaching abilities.

Thank you

The Dumb Kid