在2016年美國總統(tǒng)大選期間,無論你支持的是哪位候選人,此次大選都揭示了這樣一個事實——美國人對經(jīng)濟的不安全感正在顯著加深,生怕這個需要一系列全新技能的時代將他們拋在身后。據(jù)ABC新聞的民調顯示,超過十分之六的選民對美國經(jīng)濟持負面展望,高達93的支持特朗普的選民認為,美國正走在一個錯誤的軌道上。 在美國國內,關于各種政治分歧的報道和分析可謂汗牛充棟?;蛟S現(xiàn)在是時候讓我們討論一下那些能讓我們團結起來、能讓美國繼續(xù)偉大下去的事了。 首先要說的是美國的教育系統(tǒng),它仍然是令全世界羨慕的對象,否則世界各國的政治經(jīng)濟精英也不會爭先恐后地把他們的子女送到美國來讀大學。在這方面,沒有任何國家能比得上美國。 雖然美國的優(yōu)秀大學是理所當然值得關注的,然而美國的社區(qū)大學卻經(jīng)常被忽視。 讀完兩年的社區(qū)大學所帶來的經(jīng)濟效益是非常明顯的。據(jù)美國勞工部統(tǒng)計,讀完大專學歷的美國公民的失業(yè)率僅有3.8%,遠低于4.6%的全美平均值。社區(qū)大學的學生畢業(yè)后,往往具備了高度市場化的技術技能,使他們立即成為勞動力市場上的香餑餑,從而能夠為家庭提供經(jīng)濟支持。 有些學生則把社區(qū)大學作為讀四年制本科之前的過渡,而這些學生未來的就業(yè)機會甚至更加光明。美國人口普查數(shù)據(jù)表明,讀完四年大學的學生的終身收入要比普通高中畢業(yè)生高出近100萬美元。 因此,對于普通人來說,進入四年制大學的那一刻,就是他們人生的一個重要轉折點。如果我們真想解決拖累美國已久的經(jīng)濟機會差距拉大的問題,如果我們真想在未來的全球經(jīng)濟中繼續(xù)保持美國的領導性地位,教育正是我們應該優(yōu)先著手的地方。教育就像公路和高速無線網(wǎng)絡一樣,是基礎設施的重要組成部分,是未來的經(jīng)濟賴以運行的關鍵。然而如果沒有持續(xù)的投資,它就會失敗。 待到明年一月特朗普上臺以后,特朗普政府必須重新思考如何改革美國高等教育體系的成本和資金問題。雖然目前學生能夠申請的獎學金和低息助學貸款已然不少,但聯(lián)邦政府和各州的當選官員仍應確保寒門出身的優(yōu)秀子弟能夠獲得獎金。我見過太多的學生,他們本來有著光明的前途,卻由于沉重的學生貸款負擔而斷絕了上升之路。如果讓這些寒門子弟在大學校門前打道回府,只會讓美國的經(jīng)濟前景更加黯淡?,F(xiàn)在有些城市已經(jīng)開始為成績優(yōu)異的學生減免社區(qū)大學的學費,這種方法應該被廣泛推廣。 不過,為胸懷大志的學生提供支持,并非僅僅是聯(lián)邦政府的目標,我們也是人人有責。很多社區(qū)大學的學生并不容易接觸到真正的商業(yè)世界。由于眼界有限,他們對自己往往也不會有過高的預期。而如果這些學生能接觸到各種各樣的機會,他們就能運用自己的聰明才智來改善自己的生活,豐富身邊的世界,從而實現(xiàn)人生的躍升。 念社區(qū)大學的學生恰恰是美國最優(yōu)秀的部分的一個投影。他們專心致志地學習和工作——哪怕這個過程很艱難,哪怕放棄看起來會容易得多。是時候讓我們給這些學生一些早已應得的關注了。 是時候讓我們幫助他們邁出人生的下一步了。 (財富中文網(wǎng)) 譯者:樸成奎 本文作者Phil Bronner是Quad Learning公司和“美國榮譽”項目的聯(lián)合創(chuàng)始人和CEO。 |
Whichever candidate you supported in the 2016 president election, the campaign laid bare a profound and rising economic insecurity among Americans who fear getting left behind by an economy that rewards an entirely new set of skills. According to ABC News exit polls, more than six in 10 voters held a negative view of the economy, while a stunning 93% of those who supported President-elect Donald Trump felt that the country is on the wrong track. There’s no shortage of coverage and analysis of our country’s many political divisions. Maybe it’s time we start talking more about the things that unite us – and continue to make America great in endless ways. That conversations start with America’s higher education system, which remains the envy of the world. There’s a reason that the political and economic elite of every country vie to send their children to American universities. No other country comes close. While our excellent universities are deservedly in the spotlight, America’s community colleges are often overlooked. The economic benefits of completing a two-year community college program are significant. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the unemployment rate for those who earn an Associates degree is just 3.8% — well below the national average of 4.6%. Students who move from community college to the workforce often start out their careers with highly marketable technical skills that make them instantly in-demand in the workforce and able to provide for their families. For students who attend community colleges as a bridge to a four-year Bachelor’s degree, the opportunities for career advancement are even greater. The U.S. Census reports that graduating from a four-year college nets nearly $1 million more in lifetime earnings than a high school diploma alone. This moment of transition to a four-year college, then, is a major tipping point. If we are serious about addressing the growing economic opportunity gap plaguing our country – and if we are serious about maintaining America’s leadership in the future global economy — this is where we should start. Much like our roadways and high-speed wireless networks, education is a vital part of the infrastructure upon which tomorrow’s economy will run. Without sustained investment, it will falter. As Trump takes office in January, his administration must rethink the nation’s approach to the cost and financing of higher education. While there are a variety of scholarship and low-interest loan programs available, elected officials at the state and federal level should reward lower-income students who commit to a college education and excel. I’ve seen too many students discouraged from reaching for the stars because of the massive looming burden of student loans. Turning less-fortunate students away at the gates of higher education only short-changes our country’s economic future. Some cities have taken the initiative to provide free community college tuition to students who achieve high academic ranking; these efforts should be expanded. But supporting aspiring students isn’t up to the federal government alone; we all have a role to play. Many community college students have limited exposure to the business world. With a limited horizon, they have limited expectations for themselves. When these students are exposed to all of the ways they can use their brainpower to improve their lives and enrich the world around them, they leap at the opportunity. Students who attend community colleges are a reflection of the very best of America. They simply put their head down and get the job done – even when it’s hard, and even when quitting seems a whole lot easier. It’s time we shine a much-deserved spotlight on these students. It’s time we helped them take the next step forward. |