After reading Mike Rowe’s article, I used Outline, Summarize and Analyze to understand her argument and his response.

While Dawn has completely taken the side of 4 year degrees as the best option by stating crippling working conditions are not a viable option for most, Mike has laid out the facts that show how a 4 year degree’s cost is outpacing its ability to show a profit in certain cases.  At the same time Mike explains why the option of vocational education is both financially viable and a necessity in our society.  

 

Outline:

·         Need college education, preferably, BS for good job

·         Students being encouraged to go to college versus skilled work training

·         Student tried college, quit, trade skill as iron worker

o   Making excellent money, benefits, good outlook of raises

o   Friends still in college – no salary, benefits

·         Due to parents/schools enc. College to students for prestige and increase school rankings

·         Negative connotations of vocational school

o   Poor, lower class attracted

·         College – wealthy/white

·         Debate regarding article:  reverse discrimination against college educated students

 

 

Contextualize:

Wealthier students/families want their children to follow in their footsteps and get formal education:  expectations, prestige among peers

Those not wealthy tend to get training on skilled work

Both of the above are really not helping our students.  Must educate them and allow them to make an educated decision