College graduates are more likely to be employed and earn higher salaries than high school graduates or those with associate's degrees, according to a study by the Pew Economic Mobility Project released Wednesday. Comparing employment levels of college graduates before and after the recession, the report concluded that although the number of entry job opportunities has declined, those with bachelor's degrees are less affected. While college graduate employment dropped 7 percent, employment of those with associate's degrees and high school graduates dropped 11 and 16 percent, respectively. College graduates have experienced smaller drops in employment rates and average weekly wages. The percent of individuals excluded from the workforce those seeking work, but unable to find it is also lowest for those holding college degrees.
The Department of Education predicts that college enrollment between 2010 and 2021 will continue to increase, but at a slower rate than between 1996 and 2010, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education. The Department of Education projects a 15 percent growth rate for both public and private institutions, which have grown by 36 percent and 81 percent, respectively, from 1996 to 2010. Female enrollment is expected to continue outpacing male enrollment, and enrollment is also projected to vary between racial and ethnic groups. Hispanic student enrollment is projected to grow by 42 percent, black student enrollment by 25 percent, white student enrollment by 4 percent, Asian/Pacific Islander student enrollment by 20 percent and American Indian/Alaska native student enrollment by 1 percent, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported.
"Inside the Undergraduate Teaching Experience," to be published later this month, reveals that professors are self-reflective and constantly aiming to improve student learning, according to Inside Higher Ed. The book a qualitative study on the teaching abilities of professors by University of Washington lecturer and research scientist Catharine Beyer, former head of the University's Office of Educational Assessment Gerald Gillmore and University dean Edward Taylor assessed the teaching of 55 Washington faculty members from varied disciplines. Faculty members spoke of altering assignments, content and teaching strategies to help students learn, according to Inside Higher Ed. Although the study was completed at the University of Washington, Beyer believes that the findings are applicable to faculty at similar institutions as well as small colleges and universities.
