President Obama today proposed a $12 billion investment in the nation’s community colleges today, dubbing it the American Graduation Initiative. The President argued that the money will drive expansions and reforms in the system that are needed to help people get educated in the struggling economy. During a speech in Michigan today, the President promised his proposal would “reform” practices at community colleges around the nation while increasing the number of community college graduates by 5 million over the next 12 years. This new American Graduation Initiative includes $2.5 billion for construction and renovation at the nation’s community colleges, $500 million to develop new online courses and $9 billion for “challenge grants” aimed at spurring innovation at the colleges. The grants will require colleges to compete by designing innovative new programs or revamping their existing curriculum. The grants are similar to the “Race to the Top” funding that Education Secretary Arne Duncan has proposed for the K-12 school systems.
Resource:
Michael D. Shear, “Obama Plans Cash Infusion for Community Colleges,” Washington Post, July 14, 2009.
