WASHINGTON — With the Obama administration seeking to boost U.S. education spending in its latest budget proposals, the Center for American Progress released three research papers Wednesday detailing how the nation’s community colleges can help lead the revitalization of U.S. postsecondary education and reinvigorate American work-force development for the 21st century.
During a community college forum Wednesday at which the papers’ authors presented their findings, John Podesta, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, said the “Obama administration recognizes the potential for community colleges to help prepare our work force of the future.” He added that the administration’s proposed American Graduation Initiative and recommendations in the center’s three papers “can spur” the changes that would be necessary to see dramatic improvements in U.S. community colleges.
“With the American Graduation Initiative, the administration is poised to invest more than $12 billion in the nation’s community colleges. This investment is an opportunity for community colleges to innovate their education models, change internal practices and build partnerships with regional economic growth initiatives,” said Podesta, a former White House Chief of Staff under President Bill Clinton.
Joining the authors during the forum at the progressive Washington think tank were Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joseph Biden and a community college professor, and Dr. Brenda Dann-Messier, the Education Department assistant secretary for vocational and adult education.
