National and state leaders make policies and change programs in an attempt to promote education in a community. The year 2017 marked significant proposed changes in the education sector to improve the level of knowledge in society. The effects of postsecondary affordability have become an area of concern for all education stakeholders. This approach focuses on ensuring that every student benefits from state funds to increase the number of graduates. At least three governors proposed postsecondary education. However, this trend is subject to discussion with people giving different views. Postsecondary affordability policy has positive and negative impacts on the community.
Historical Context of Postsecondary Education
Postsecondary affordability has been in existence since 2009 when president Trump through his administration, decided to expand education to all students. People with healthy life in America have college degrees that create an opportunity for accessing excellent and well-paying jobs in the country. This information indicates that education is the key to success. However, the cost of education prevents many students, especially those from historically disadvantaged families, to succeed in the community. In effect, President Obama and the elected governors created postsecondary approach as an approach for helping students to achieve an education. As a result, the administration raised Pell Grant by $1000, accompanied by making student debt more manageable (Day, Dworsky, & Feng, 2013). The policy received support from governors in the year 2017 when they requested for additional $17.5 million other tuition relief intending to expand education to society members. Postsecondary education is subject to debate with giving the pros and cons of the policy.
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Arguments for and Against Postsecondary Affordability
The proponents of postsecondary affordability associate the policy with increasing the number of graduates in the country. The education program accompanied by high student debt crisis is some of the reasons as to why there are increased cases of school dropouts. Therefore, eliminating the tuition fee will be an essential approach for reducing the reasons for not graduating. Postsecondary affordability program will also contribute to the improvement of living standards in the state. The policy has the ability for reducing the loan debt that prevents graduates from purchasing houses. In America, the average loan debt for graduates is the $37,000 prohibiting such students from investing in developmental projects (Kim, 2017). Tuition fee in America depends on the course that students specialize. Consequently, many students pursue classes that are not in the line of their talent with an objective minimizing education costs.
The opponents of postsecondary affordability question the source of funds for financing the program, arguing that it will be a burden to the public. They say that the public will be the source of money through taxation (Hughes-Price, 2017). The opponents for the postsecondary program see this policy as a shift of burden, thus making it ineffective. The plan is also weak in helping graduates to experience an improved living style. Many students will go to college, thus producing many graduates than the economy can absorb.
Strategic Recommendation
In an attempt to address the issues associated with postsecondary affordability program, it is recommendable for a state to adopt Outcome-based funding model. This approach calls for a need for allocating part of the state income-based on student outcome rather than focusing on historical and school enrollment (Hearn, 2015). This approach is beneficial because it creates an opportunity for balancing the needs of the public and that of students. For instance, the money will only be directed to qualified students, thus limiting resource allocation. The state leaders should also remain connected to other states. This connection creates room for discussion and sharing of ideas, thus formulating procedures capable of addressing the disadvantages of postsecondary affordability program.
Conclusion
Postsecondary education policy has both positive and adverse effects in a country. This policy can improve the living standards of people as well as promoting fairness and equity in a country. Postsecondary affordability increases college enrolments, leading to production of many graduates than the economy can absorb. These issues can be resolved through outcome-based funding and lab experiments.
References
Day, A., Dworsky, A., & Feng, W. (2013). An Analysis of Foster Care Placement History and Post-Secondary Graduation Rates. Research in Higher Education Journal, 19.
Hearn, J. C. (2015). Outcomes-Based Funding in Historical and Comparative Context. Lumina Issue Papers. Lumina Foundation for Education.
Hughes-Price, J. L. (2017). Major Policy Issue: Keeping Higher Education Affordable and Accessible. Southern Regional Council of Educational Administration, 17(1).
Kim, S. W. (2017). The Effect of Promoting Access to Community Colleges on Educational and Labor Market Outcomes.
