An American Imperative: Higher Expectations for Higher Education. An Open Letter to Those Concerned about the American Future. Report of the Wingspread Group on Higher Education.

Overview & Synopsis

Based on conclusions of a 1993 meeting of national leaders in higher education (the Wingspread Group on Higher Education), this book charges that higher education is not meeting society's needs and suggests fundamental areas for attention. It sees demographic, economic and technical changes as increasing the importance of good higher education for most Americans. However, a crisis of values, a higher education system that "weeds" out students, trivialized undergraduate education, and growing public concern all signal crises in higher education. The book argues that the United States must educate more people and must educate them better. This task demands new ways of thinking that include consideration of three fundamental issues. First, higher education must take American democratic values seriously as democratic society must have a common ground. Second, the rigors of a liberal education can sustain these values and institutions must focus more on what students learn and achieve by putting students at the heart of the educational enterprise. Finally, higher education must help to create a nation of learners by being engaged more thoroughly in all of the education enterprise. Extensive appendixes include a self-assessment checklist for institutions, a list of members of the Wingspread group, the Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills agenda, and over 100 references. About half the book consists of 32 essays contributed for the meeting. (JB)