Expanding access to a broader demographic is not only critical for higher-ed institutions to boost graduation rates, but can also: increase the possibility for innovations to bolster the economy, mitigate social inequalities, and re-invigorate democracy.
“Re-invigorating democracy means getting more people, from all groups, involved in American civics. The G.I. Bill proves that those who have access to higher education become more civics-minded,” said Mettler.
Calls to action
Mettler recommends re-evaluating or changing policy management in Congress, starting with for-profits.
“It really is Plutocracy and not plain constituency influence because polarization makes influence easier for interest groups; instead of having to lobby every member of Congress, they can go to leadership to sway the group,” she noted. “Up until the 1980s, when there was little-to-no polarization, both parties regulated for-profits.”
Next, states must be regulated, she said, as states currently have a “perverse incentive” to not invest in higher education.
“States have competing mandatory demands on funding, like Medicaid and K-12 education, and higher-ed is discretionary. Many states are not spending money on higher-ed in order to get more student aid dollars. We need to require states to have more maintenance of funds and monitor their efforts.”
Non-profits, private and public institutions must also be held accountable for their spending, tuition, and appropriation of funds.
For more information and dialogue on this intriguing theory, check out Mettler and peers at the New American Foundation’s webinar, “Degrees of Inequality.”
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