From the late '90s. Of course, they hear it not because it's research but because we've had the great wave of "college isn't good for nothing" spate of nihilists who completely missed the point of the research they were twisting.
Too many 4-year degrees by far, with employers often requiring a 4-year degree for something that leaves an intelligence bachelor's holder bored to tears and over-educated. Oh, and with 4 years of student loans (or Pell grants) instead of 2. Wasted money on wasted college resources. Too many college kids spend little time studying in college programs that they weren't really ready for, because they're entitled to a piece of paper that their parents wanted.
Not enough 2-year degrees and vocational certifications. Mustn't get one's hands dirty. Even as we still expect others to do so for us. It's a cultural thing--we look down on tradesmen and craftsmen. It's a stupid, elitist, cultural thing, mostly growing since the '50s with the "everybody must go to college" group-think.
Too many high-school drop-outs. Many of whom, to be honest, probably *wouldn't* drop out if they weren't failing college-readiness courses or learned something they found useful, given their background and that of their parents.
My only concern is that if we right-degreed everybody there'd be some racial or class stratification. After all, I look at my students who don't see a point in college or learning subjects that don't get them jobs and most of them are poor or working class. Then you look at how those classes match up with demographics, and there's a racial skew. So if we right-degreed students, there'd be a huge wonkish class saying, "But we must make sure every field, every certification, is like the current demographic make up of America."
= new reply since forum marked as read