Why an educated population is a public good
Last month, Matthew Denhart described the current (and very small-scale) state of privatized student-loan microfinance, something Richard Vedder jumped on when Warren Buffett mentioned the idea last year: turn student debt into equity in students. This idea addresses my concern expressed a few years ago (it's towards the end of that very long entry) that the domination […]
Next Generation Learning Challenge
I'm not sure whether to cheer or wince at the Gates-centered Next Generation Learning Challenge grant competition for various online learning tools (see the New York Times and Chronicle coverage). Wince potential: more millions being thrown in hopes that somehow, somewhere, "technology" will improve schooling. The good part: tools must be available publicly at the end of […]