Content-type: text/html Downes.ca ~ Stephen's Web ~ Phyllis W. Jordan column: What free public college means for Virginia's small private colleges

Stephen Downes

Knowledge, Learning, Community

This short post points to an opinion article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch that makes clear some of the dynamics of a mixed public-private education environment. At issue is the free college tuition being offered in Virginia. Columnist Phyllis W. Jordan says private colleges "are already in direct competition with public colleges and universities" and are at risk of cloising. This is bad, she argues, because "private, liberal arts colleges are essential to sustaining small town and rural economies." So, she argues, "if the General Assembly agrees to make community colleges free, it could pair it with expanded grants for students who stay in state for private colleges." And that's how private college for rich people drains the public system while not providing the benefit - free tuition - desired by lawmakers.

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Stephen Downes Stephen Downes, Casselman, Canada
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Last Updated: Dec 22, 2024 06:23 a.m.

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