rigorous standards

Higher Ed Has a Discipline Deficit

In recent years, instructors across college campuses have observed a steady decline in students’ adherence to the behavioral norms that once defined the academic environment. Expectations surrounding punctuality, appropriate dress, timely submission of work, and respectful communication have eroded, replaced by a culture in which such standards are often seen as optional, negotiable, or even […]

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Colleges and the Dumbing Down of America

For decades, international testing data have shown that the United States, for all its leadership in technological innovation and economic success, has been, at best, so-so in teaching fundamental knowledge to young Americans. Moreover, the situation appears to have worsened, aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has not recovered to anemic pre-pandemic levels since. […]

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Humanities Must Embrace Rigorous Standards

Much has been said about the decline of humanities, but one important aspect receives less attention: the humanities are easy and becoming easier. Certainly, this was the popular impression among students when I was an undergraduate at the University of Toronto. The softer the subject, the easier it was. My friends’ schedules, usually posted on […]

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maths and science formula

How the U.S. Lost the Edge in Science…And How to Get it Back

In two recent articles (Asia Times and PJ Media), David Goldman criticized the Trump administration’s trade policy with China, in particular, the notion that tariffs will help U.S. competitiveness. Instead, he points to a lack of U.S. innovation. In the PJ Media article, Goldman concludes with five recommendations, the first four being: As we did […]

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