ISSN:
1573-174X
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Nature of Science, Research, Systems of Higher Education, Museum Science
Notes:
Abstract This paper considers several opportunities for research on the means of relating investment in higher education more closely to widely expressed desires for faster economic growth and for greater equity in educational opportunity. It does this against a background of policy issues related to growth and equity among income groups common to the current debates in the United States and Britain. Major basic policy trends in the U.S. are reviewed briefly first, with comparisons to some similar developments in Britain. These are then related to an underlying need for research to broaden the concept of human educational capital as a means of bringing findings closer to the needs of legislators' constituents and educational planners in democratic nations. Some preliminary evidence is included that suggests, for example, that not only expected monetary returns, but also expected nonmonetary returns reflecting the increasing value of time are important to students and their families as they decide to invest. The possibilities for research on means of aiding growth then are considered. They focus primarily on the opportunities inherent in early findings on relative rates of return to two year (e.g. Higher National Certificate, or junior college) programs, and the potential through adaptations in postsecondary education for speeding up application of basic science and new technology to production. Finally, research and preliminary findings on the regressive incidence of the net benefits of higher education among income groups is considered. It is suggested that there are some ways that higher education can contribute to faster economic growth while simultaneously contributing to equity.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00143790
