A recent infographic in The Chronicle clearly illustrates the need for more college graduates in the United States. Only two places – Massachusetts and Washington, DC – have more college graduates than non-college graduates.
President Obama’s goal that “by 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world” is facing an uphill battle. But even THAT goal raises another battle within academia. Do we want the most number of college graduates in the world or do we want the most educated people in the world?

The difference in this: the most number of college degrees granted could be achieved by lowering admissions standards, decreasing the student experience, and simply handing out more diplomas. But, the most educated would include WHAT the students are learning, not just that they have a piece of paper after four years.

That would mean a measure of job-related skills in addition to traditional higher-ed subjects. The point is, people can learn valuable skills (AKA, be more educated) in many areas that don’t require lecture halls and research labs. There are important skills that would build better infrastructure, decrease crime, raise the standard of living for poorer people and, generally, make America more competitive on the world stage.

The answer is “get learning, people” but the question? Well, that’s the question, isn’t it?