Having spent many years in the field of education as a teacher and professor of science, I would like to share some of my views about what real education is. There is no question that the entire field of education in many states across the country is found wanting in many ways.

 West Virginia and Mississippi rank near the bottom in many categories. We could do much better!

This topic is very important because there exists an attitude in our society today that everyone must obtain a college degree in order to "make it" in this world. A piece of paper is only paper if it does not represent what it purports to represent.

 The notion that everyone needs a college education is a false assumption not grounded in fact! 

Some of the world's greatest minds and thinkers had no college degree whatsoever!

 A college degree is only as good as the college offering it. Unfortunately, many colleges and universities today are a waste of time and money!  Little in the way of solid teaching and learning is happening!

 I am sorry to have witnessed a growing trend in academia of "watering down" academic programs and creating "diploma mills".  Colleges and universities are increasingly guilty of issuing  pieces of paper called "diplomas or degrees" that represent very little value in the real world. 

 A true education has real utility! 

  Education, if it is to be worthwhile, must provide an individual with the necessary skills to solve problems. In addition, such problem-solving skills must enhance one's ability to analyze those problems and to acquire the ability to know future outcomes and find remedies.  In other words, education has to cause one to be discerning and to be able to distinguish between the truth and myths of a matter.

 We need critical thinkers!

 Critical thinking skills development is a must in any real academic program. Such skills can only be offered where solid meaningful research is being conducted and investigators in that research are on the "cutting edge" of the knowledge base. 

 Training people for the primary purpose of "filling job slots" in order to enhance our so-called economy just won't fit the bill. Many colleges and universities have become nothing more than vocational training institutions and with vast changes and critical issues confronting us today, this type of offering will not do!

 These colleges and universities have relegated their roles to "much-a-do-about nothing" offerings and as a result, we have developed an ignorance base amongst our population.

The world needs critical thinkers in these times of great peril not "brain-dead" consumers of useless programs and information now being offered in many of  the colleges and universities today! 

 Our "feel good" society has caused colleges and universities to offer educational programs that are without any merit at all!  These institutions have become "diploma mills" at best and as a result, are creating a population of "non-thinks". 

 We can and must do better! 

 Anyone deciding on attending college would do well to do some homework in getting to know more about that college or university. Just because it is convenient to your location is not the most important issue to consider.

 A major consideration would include seeking information about the professional reputation of the faculty and the degree of research that exists amongst that faculty.

 If very little research is being conducted, forget that college or university altogether lest you fall prey to wasting your time and money pursuing a degree with little value! 

 The bottomline is simply this...what good is a college degree if one cannot problem solve their way through increasingly troubled times?

 Environmental and many other problems we face today require thinkers and if ever our country needed thinkers, it is now!

 For further information concerning this subject, feel free to contact me! 

 Having attended and taught in some of the finest universities in the country, I feel that I am quite able to provide a fair and accurate assessment of colleges and universities offering educational programs.

I have had the good fortune of receiving advanced degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Iowa at Iowa City, Iowa. These two institutions are top line in both teaching and research!

While I was working on my doctorate at the University of Iowa, I was the Administrative Assistant for Dr. Robert E. Yager.

Dr. Yager is one of the top Science Educators in the world! He has chaired most of the major science education professional organizations in the country!  Also, I had the great opportunity to work in the same building with the late world famous Dr. James VanAllen, a truly remarkable man and a pioneer in physics. 

The University of Iowa is truly one of the leading research universities in the world! The bottom line is...my opinion about colleges and universities weigh heavy due to my background and experience in academia.

 Don't waste your time and money by enrolling in an institution that lacks the kinds of programs and faculty necessary to provide a real education. 

 For prospective students residing in West Virginia, I would urge that a careful review be given to determining which West Virginia colleges and universities might be better than others.  I hasten to add that few of these colleges are worthwhile in my considered opinion.

West Virginia has some real problems when it comes to attracting quality academic staff for its institutions because there is very little being done in the areas of cutting edge research. Many of our educational institutions are operating in the dark ages!

Prospective college students seeking a real education really need to do their homework before enrolling in academic programs!  Of course, if all one is interested in is a degree, then enroll in the college that spews them out!  There are many such institutions in your immediate geographical area.

 For further information:

 Contact Dr. Charlie Frederick

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