Though regulated by individual states, education in the
United States has become a question of presidential proportions. The 2012
presidential election may elicit a round of education reform, coming from
two very opposite federal approaches- one hands-on, one hands off. A
Republican presidential hopeful, Rick Santorum notes, “The federal role in education is very limited. Education is the responsibility of parents, local schools (public and private), and states in that order.”
As of 2008, 66% of undergrads relied on federal
student aid. Hence, the question begs- can the government accommodate this
upward trend of students seeking government aid to finance higher
education?
That question then pops the tab on a sizable can of
worms--SHOULD the government prepare for increased dependence at all? Who is to
say a traditional, four-year colleges are right for all people?
The current U.S. government thinks so, as its actions imply. The current administration has spearheaded education initiatives
encouraging higher achievement and paving the way (governmentally, at least)
for affordable education, ensuring all citizens have access to desired
education.
The actions are logical for a government, according to classical
Greek thought, which holds that man betters himself through political
participation. In order to participate, man must learn the nature of being
governed. Wilson McWilliams states in “Democracy and the Citizen,” “To help me
toward self- rule, democracy must provide me with an environment that has
resources enough to permit me to live in a fully human way. It must also
educate me so that my soul will be free to follow nature.” The American democracy values education as a soul-freeing resource.
With the turn of the election, there exists the possibility
that America could see a retraction of education funding, perhaps echoing the
retraction of European counterparts. Greece has cut funding for higher education by 25% in order to fund austerity measures that aim to resolve the
nation’s debt. It’s safe to say that, if the Fed pulled the plug on FAFSA, there
would be tremendous protest nationwide from the many students dependent on
federal student aid.
Liberty, justice, and higher education for all? That depends on which playground dodge ball team you're throwing for, or, better yet, who wins the lunchtime tournament.
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