“We need supply-side education policy,” September 2024.
Eliminating degree requirements for jobs is very popular with voters, but would do almost nothing to help workers who don’t have a college diploma.
“Break Up Big Econ,” September 2024.
The economics profession has become insular and status-obsessed, and not focused enough on making a positive impact on the world.
“The Worst Way to Do College Admissions,” March 2024.
Making standardized test scores optional has harmed the disadvantaged applicants it was intended to help.
“The Single Biggest Fix for Inequality at Elite Colleges,” November 2023.
It’s not banning legacy admissions.
“The College Backlash is Going Too Far,” October 2023.
Getting a four-year degree is still a good investment.
“Balancing Privacy with Data Sharing for the Public Good,” February 2021.
Socially valuable data can be combined with standards that safeguard individual privacy.
“Community Colleges can be Engines of Economic Recovery,” September 2020.
With proper funding and innovation, two-year public colleges can handle job training for millions of people.
“Online Learning Should Return to a Supporting Role,” April 2020.
Winner-take-all economics and cost-cutting may make many in-person lectures obsolete, but the best education continues to be intensive, expensive and done in person.
“The Robots are Coming: Prepare for Trouble,” January 2020.
Artificial intelligence won’t eliminate every retail job, an economist says, but the future could be grim unless we start planning now.
“In the Salary Race, Engineering Majors Sprint but English Majors Endure,” September 2019.
The earnings advantage for STEM majors fades steadily after their first jobs, and by age 40, social science and humanities majors have caught up.
“Tuition-Free College Could Cost Less than You Think,” January 2019.
Tuition is relatively low at public colleges and universities, and we could pay for free college by redirecting spending from other Federal education programs.