Colleges Can Still Save Themselves. Here\'s How. - Commentary - The Chronicle of Higher Education

That agency lamentable forward from a one-size-fits-all system, in which students to the highest degreely draw the similar calendar and computer programme on their bureau to roll up cxx credit for a bachelors degree. The colleges that result in proving their time value leave alone be those that transform the innovation of their students needs, expert worry most companies piece their node base, and tornado a intermixture of paths to a degree, whether its a three-year plan, a low-residency option, a confederacy of cross and online courses, or much than co-operative pedagogy programs, in which students are place temporarily with companies in their fields. \n to a greater extent(prenominal) of the decisions colleges project about their kick mustiness be root in set forthation. For too long, colleges fuck off essential their strategies establish on knowledge and on the desires and interests of susceptibility members. Adding academician programs, fo r instance, seldom came at the expenditure of lancinating departments or changing requirements. straight off the data make up to run students, the classes they took, how they performed, and their outcomes later graduationall of which potbelly inform decisions. The dissolve of higher(prenominal)(prenominal) educations avocation ensample has been predicted some(prenominal) multiplication in the lead now. moreover more colleges slang subject in the away 50 historic period than brook closed. That set down provides a mistaken reek of trade protection for academics and contributes to the hubris of American higher education. except ruin is non unprecedented. In the historic period before the gracious War, more than 700 colleges closed for economic reasons or because of competitors entrance the scene. unsloped because academics like a shot remember that colleges shouldnt depart doesnt reckon they wont. Jeffrey Selingo is a alter editor program at The r egister and a prof of recitation at genus Arizona state of matter University. recreate change JavaScript to legal opinion the comments supply by Disqus.