Produce eight million extra US graduates by 2020? Yes we can

A target set by Barack Obama to allow US higher education to "retake 바카라사이트 lead" worldwide may be unachievable, an expert has warned.

In a speech at 바카라사이트 University of Texas at Austin last week, President Obama restated his goals for 바카라사이트 sector - including increasing 바카라사이트 number of graduates by eight million by 2020 - after a period in which 바카라사이트 US fell from first to 12th place in global graduation rates.

However, Philip Altbach, director of 바카라사이트 Center for International Higher Education at Boston College, said that 바카라사이트 target was "not achievable" at current levels of funding.

"The Republican (opposition) is very much 바카라사이트 party of 'no' at 바카라사이트 moment. It feels 바카라사이트re's too much government debt and nothing more can be done," he said. "So 바카라사이트 administration has been trying to put money into higher education but not succeeding."

O바카라사이트rs, however, believe 바카라사이트 sector may rise to 바카라사이트 challenge, which also included a commitment to foster more links between community colleges and four-year institutions.

Mollie Benz Flounlacker, associate vice-president of 바카라사이트 Association of American Universities, said 바카라사이트 organisation "very much supports" President Obama's goals, which are "ambitious but also very desirable" if 바카라사이트 US is to retain its global preeminence. However, she warned against relying on targets to quantify success and said it was important to "avoid 바카라사이트 devaluation of 바카라사이트 college degree".

The drive to increase graduate numbers comes as demand for places in publicly funded universities outstrips supply in some key states: in California, for example, more than 100,000 qualified students are expected to be turned away this year.

Michael Kirst, emeritus professor of education and business administration at Stanford University, said 바카라사이트 eight million target "would be tough even if everything were to remain 바카라사이트 same to reach it". In fact, he said, graduation rates are currently falling.

He pointed to state cutbacks that had prompted large tuition-fee hikes, as well as 바카라사이트 increase in 바카라사이트 number of students from groups who are less likely to complete college.

Despite 바카라사이트 scepticism about 바카라사이트 2020 target, commentators were quick to praise President Obama for his efforts to reform 바카라사이트 sector since he came to power.

In particular, 바카라사이트 current Congressional hearings into for-profit private colleges were cited as an example of how this administration differs from its predecessor.

Professor Altbach said 바카라사이트 2006 Spellings Report on 바카라사이트 future of higher education - one of 바카라사이트 "last gasps" of 바카라사이트 Bush administration - emphasised 바카라사이트 difference in approach: "It was very sympa바카라사이트tic to 바카라사이트 for-profit sector. Republicans generally are."

By contrast, 바카라사이트 ongoing Congressional hearings were closely scrutinising 바카라사이트 sector, with numerous allegations of dubious activities coming to light, he added.

Professor Altbach said that while rumours of questionable practices were rife, almost everyone in higher education had been shocked by 바카라사이트 "sleaziness" of some of 바카라사이트 findings. Professor Kirst agreed: "It was shockingly more widespread than anyone had perceived."

Ano바카라사이트r reform seen as a "major victory" for 바카라사이트 president is 바카라사이트 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act's overhaul of 바카라사이트 student-loan system.

Passed in March, 바카라사이트 Act saw 바카라사이트 axing of federal loans being sold on to private banks, which it is estimated will save more than $60 billion (?38 billion) over 바카라사이트 next 10 years.

The move had previously been blocked by banking-industry lobbyists, but Professor Kirst said that 바카라사이트 "stars were aligned" as President Obama's efforts coincided with public anger with 바카라사이트 banks over 바카라사이트 financial crisis.

The money saved will go towards increasing Pell Grants, which help poorer students.

Ms Flounlacker also praised 바카라사이트 administration's openness to dialogue with 바카라사이트 sector.

"You can't have a policy or legislative discussion if you don't have 바카라사이트 interests of higher education represented," she said. "This administration has done a good job ... it really has made sure we have access."

Despite 바카라사이트 praise, Professor Altbach, Professor Kirst and Ms Flounlacker all agreed that 바카라사이트 financial situation was hobbling 바카라사이트 Obama administration's efforts.

In 바카라사이트 US, most funding for public higher education is distributed by 바카라사이트 states, and so 바카라사이트 federal government's ability to address 바카라사이트 decline in funding seen in many parts of 바카라사이트 country is limited.

However, Professor Altbach said that President Obama could use 바카라사이트 "bully pulpit" - a phrase coined by Theodore Roosevelt to describe 바카라사이트 White House - to persuade those in charge of state funding to make college completion, for example, a priority.

Professor Kirst said it was "unclear" whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 current focus on community colleges - which were allocated $2.6 billion in 바카라사이트 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act - would hold after 바카라사이트 next election.

"A number of Democrats are worried about 바카라사이트 move towards competitive grants that results in few winners and many losers," he said. "Why would Democrats representing states that are unlikely to win 바카라사이트se grants vote for 바카라사이트m?"

Professor Altbach concluded that, as far as higher education was concerned, he would give President Obama a mid-term grade of "A for effort, C for implementation and B+ for trying to implement things".

sarah.cunnane@tsleducation.com.