Redefining educational success

Throughout our young lives, we’re all told we can do anything. And usually that road to our dreams runs through college.

But American Enterprise Institute scholar Charles Murray feels much different. In his new book, Murray delves into why he believes some of us shouldn’t even be in college, because our brains aren’t capable of dealing with the rigors of college-based education.

Instead, Murray suggests we focus on sending those not interested or sufficiently competent for college to vocational programs and schools so they can find a job they actually enjoy and in his mind, can do. Moreover, he believes certain occupational fields should adopt certification tests like the bar exam in place of a bachelor’s degree.
Although Murray’s ideas might be a bit drastic, we don’t necessarily disagree with his basic idea.

It seems clear to us that it’s unfair for all teenagers to face immense pressure to get into a certain college, especially when they have no interest in attending in the first place. We all understand the fear high-school kids face about becoming the “one left behind,” and it’s possible some teens feel like they have no choice but to attend a university.

Moreover, increasing numbers of college students are picking up thousands of dollars in loans for classes they don’t want to take for degrees they’re not even sure they like. Their presence only wastes class seats and devalues the bachelor’s degree for those who have gotten something out of their education.

We do, however, believe everyone should be willing to attain the highest level of education individually possible, and we still see college as the best means of doing so.

Murray’s ideals are clearly on the extreme end of the spectrum, but it’s clear some college-age people think a university education is the only path to success. That’s not true, and they deserve better.