ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION: IT’S ROLE IN THE AMERICAN ECONOMY

“Globalization is upon us and universities need to prepare their students accordingly. Colleges and universities must be focused on improving our students’ global competency, providing our next generation of leaders with
the ability to think critically – to think globally – in all situations and competing with people from various cultures” (Todd, 2005).

The American economy is an intricate system of multiple components. This delicate, but complex set of systems must work in tandem to ensure America remains viable in a changing global environment. America’s economic structure is designed to provide its citizens with security, wealth, opportunity, independence, freedom, personal and professional enrichment, religious expression, and free public and assessable education. But today a once reliable component of the system is hemorrhaging and if not treated soon the impact on America’s international position as a major economic force in today’s global marketplace will be in peril.

Over the centuries our American educational systems with multifaceted components has been the difference that separated the America economy from all others around the world. America’s educational systems represented America’s most valuable assets and resource. Our educational system is the one aspect in our society all American have come to rely on in times of war, peace, recessions and prosperity. This tireless, yet unheralded component serves as the linchpin that secures America’s place among the elite nations.

However, one aspect of America’s complex set of elements, the American workforce is falling behind other nations. More specifically, the American workforce is sorely lacking in the basic academic and technological skills needed to maintain a competitive edge in the market place, an edge which is eroding daily. The American workforce, a once unbounded strength, capable of amazing achievements is now slowly becoming a liability and threatens the economic health and well being of the United States.

The 21st Century brings with it exciting opportunities, a new world of discoveries and possibilities and at the thrust of this amazing time is technology, rapidly changing and innovative technology. The new economy in the 21st Century will rely more on knowledge power and intellectual capabilities in the areas of critical thinking and Innovative Solution Management (ISM) skills. This new world with its changing technology has the capabilities of turning giants into mortals and mortals into kings. The once clear lead that developed countries such as the United States had in the educational arena is quickly shrinking, as developing countries are rapidly increasing their number and quality of college graduates, while equalizing the access rates to education for those attending secondary and primary schools. The actions of the developing countries have been characterized by Kaplan-Leiserson, (2006) as a “sea change” in the relative education advantage that advanced countries have enjoyed for literally hundreds of years.

The continue change among these developing countries will continue to chip away at the core of America’s economic foundation unless authentic access to higher education for every American who so desires remains a vital and re-newed component in the system of the American economy. An opinion shared by the former U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings who stated while speaking at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. "It is time to examine how we can get the most out of our national investment in higher education. We have a responsibility to make sure our higher education system continues to meet our nation's needs for an educated and competitive workforce in the 21st century." (U.S. Department of Education, 2005)