Discussion: Importance of education

Here we address the second part of the exam question and help you discuss the importance of education for students, companies, and the US economy. Below you can find some suggestions on how to approach this topic.

All three source materials stress the importance of some form of higher education and specialized skills for students, companies and the US economy in general:

“Michelle Obam…

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Questions for consideration

To add something to your discussion, we have formulated some questions that could help you further reflect on the topic of education in America.

Economic growth

Is it a good idea to discuss education by only focusing on economic growth? Consider that societies’ focus on economic growth has come under a lot of criticism lately, especially after the economic crisis. Many experts and activists emphasize now the importance of sustainable economic policies. Furthermore, education is not only about the job market, but also about being prepared to engage in society as a citizen (politically, civically) and about progress and discoveries that can help us build a better world.

Industry vs. education

Why do you think it’s hard to create a fruitful dialogue between industry and educational system? Consider that in many countries the educational systems are public and regul…