Is Graduate-Level Education Receiving Enough Attention?

Abstract

The U.S. education system is made up of more than just undergraduate schools, yet lawmakers, business leaders, and college presidents are speaking out about the dwindling emphasis, funding, and access to graduate-level education. Graduate education is the backbone of American competitiveness and innovation. That was the message – and the title – of a legislative forum held recently in Washington, D.C. by the Council of Graduate Schools. Several lawmakers turned out for the event, along with university presidents and business leaders, to discuss what is seen as a stagnant U.S. graduate-level education system, at least in comparison to other developed nations.

While the number of scientific papers published by Americans has remained fairly constant over the last decade, the number of scientific papers published outside of the United States has risen by more than 30 percent. More and more developing nations are investing substantial amounts of money in their graduate schools, illustrated by the fact that South Korea produces about the same number of doctorates as the United States, but with a population that is only about the size of California, Oregon, and Washington combined.

Originally published for distribution by state associations throughout the country.