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The field of higher education in America welcomed President Obama whole heartedly and rightly so. The President has kept most of his promises including the financial aid reform proposals, stimulus money, goal for credential and degree completion, support for community colleges and most importantly, a strong tone of support ensuring a productive and co-operative relationship between the administration and higher education.

In spite of the silver lining in the cloud, challenges continue to exist that need to be addressed on a war footing. Some of the predominant challenges include stalled degree attainment, alignment with K-12, affordability and access, transparency of outcomes and educational effectiveness evidence.

A slight move in this direction is evident with more stringent outcome is being tied to stimulus money. In order to avoid greater regulation, it is necessary for higher education to respond on a war footing to these challenges. There are certain questions that need to be answered to enable the students to be competent and productive citizens. It is important to improve their learning and show the public that higher education is being very effective.
 
One of the first aspects we must look into is to revive and activate the stagnant postsecondary degree achievement for the past decade. Many nations have surged forward surpassing America in completed degrees statistics. It is highly essential trying our best to work towards fulfilling Obama’s ambitious goal of leading the world by the year 2020.

It is however essential keeping in mind that the population that will be educated reflects the knowledge and skills required for the 21st century. This is possible with the help of skilfully combining persistence and supporting learning environments. What we must do is to give our attention to a broader system of education in line similar to the goals of LEAP or the Liberal Education and America’s Promise program of the Association of American Colleges and Universities.

The next important factor to consider is the cost and affordability. The current economic downturn has resulted in a continuing rise of education costs. This in turn resulted in frustration among public limiting access to a number of deserving students.

Low completion and retention rates at community colleges especially clearly indicate a failure to align higher education demands with precollege work and lack of readiness for college. There has been a consensus and agreement by the governors of 48 states to set common standards and clear cut goals for completion of high school.

There are many crucial and vital questions to be answered. We must analyse precisely our confidence level in reflecting our real achievements and be competent and productive as citizens reflected by our degrees and post-secondary credentials. Another question to be answered is the method of conveying to the public and students at different levels an effective and authentic report and assessment.

Here is some good news. Critical thinking measures are being initiated by the Voluntary System of Accountability. We also know what exactly is required to offer quality education at the undergraduate level and produce effective and competent citizens.