Case Study: Proposing Education Policy Solutions (Assignments)

Your boss, the presidential candidate, just sent you an email. She wants you to identify and summarize the education issue to be included in the opening statement. Give your response in two to three complete sentences.

A college degree is more important than ever. However, the rising costs of higher education make it a goal that is out of reach. The price of an education at public and private institutions is continuing to grow. Many students enroll at great financial risk to themselves.

In the document you just read, which statements help to explain the rising cost of higher education? Check all that apply

A. State subsidies for public institutions of been reduced. C. Increased administrative and maintenance costs. E. Increased spending on student services including counseling and academic programs.

Use the statistics you just explored to help you with this question. Which statement best summarizes the trend in higher education costs?

C. Costs have consistently risen over the past fifty years and continue to rise.

Based on your research, which statement about the trend in college costs is accurate?

D. The tuition at both types of colleges has risen rapidly, but it has risen more at private institutions than public institutions.

Draft an outline for your opening statement. It should have an introduction, a body paragraph, and a conclusion.

I. Introduction A. Identifying the issue: the rising cost of a college education B. Claim: investing in online education II. Body paragraph A. Plan of action: steps to open more online schools in the next four years B. Evidence: data that shows how many students could earn a degree with this opportunity III. Conclusion A. Summary of my argument

List at least two facts you learned from your research that you could use when writing the opening statement. Remember to include information that is relevant to the main problem you are investigating.

The cost of college has risen faster than inflation for many years. The high price of student services and administration are two reasons for the rapid increase in cost.

Write the claim for the statement describing your policy approach. Write it in the form of a one or two complete sentences.

The cost of higher education needs to be reduced to prepare future students for the jobs they will need, and to fuel the nation's ongoing research and technological development. An investment in online education will reduce costs and increase accessibility.