3 ms·

@imgabe: Why would you suggest that Denmark's model can't be scaled up to US size? Or even take Germany's model, and you'll start off from a platform some 15x t

• imgabe 8y ago
  As others mention below, Germany and other countries end up with about the same percentage of college graduates as the US. So what is the advantage of switching to a different model if it produces the same result? It doesn't mean any additional people would be able to go to college.
  • estomagordo 8y ago
    Well, for one, when economy isn't a factor, then academic prowess is a stronger predictor for who goes to college. Which seems more fair, and to garner more utility. It would also mean less horrific student loan situations.
    • imgabe 8y ago
      > when economy isn't a factor, then academic prowess is a stronger predictor for who goes to college I'd be interested in seeing data on that. Family income and "academic prowess" are often highly correlated, since higher income families tend to have better educated parents to begin with and are more able to pay for tutors and additional help.
  • whyever 8y ago
    > So what is the advantage of switching to a different model if it produces the same result? Those who go to college don't have to deal with crippling dept.
    • imgabe 8y ago
      We could go a long way to ending that by not subsidizing loans and making them dischargeable in bankruptcy. We could also better educate kids about cost/benefits of college and making sure they choose a degree that will be able to repay any loans they take out. Hopefully people are already catching on to that. We did at one point in history have college that was affordable without having the government pay for it. It should be possible to do that again.