Declining by Degrees: Higher Education at Risk

Declining by Degrees: Higher Education at Risk, which aired on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in 2005, is a comprehensive, examination into the current state of higher education in the United States. Through a blend of expert interviews, in-depth reports, and poignant student accounts, the show provides inquisitive viewers with an illuminating and often unsettling glimpse into what is happening in America's colleges and universities.

The two-hour program is an exploratory journey guided by Pulitzer-Prize winning journalists John Merrow and Hedrick Smith. The structure of Declining by Degrees: Higher Education at Risk is designed to reveal urgent, intricate problems in higher education at multiple levels – namely students, faculty, administrators, and the larger systems in place.

One aspect the film delves into is the student's perspective. We meet various students from diverse backgrounds attending different types of institutions, from large public universities to small private colleges. The dichotomy between how higher education is perceived and what it actually entails is deftly illustrated through the lives of these students. Viewers gain insights into the struggles students face, from financial constraints and lack of adequate guidance to the pressure of juggling jobs to pay for tuition, and the increasing challenge of finding value in their degrees amidst a competitive job market.

As so much of the education experience is shaped by faculty, Declaining by Degrees: Higher Education at Risk also takes viewers inside classrooms, administrative meetings, and professor's offices. The program draws attention to the fact that many professors are under pressure to conduct extensive research and publish papers at the expense of quality teaching time with students. This reflects on the fundamental shift in the roles and responsibilities of educators in modern-day academia and the implications it has on the quality of education provided.

In exploring the administrative angle, the program provides an eye-opening look at the priorities and financial decisions of many colleges and universities. From excessive spending on marketing and campus amenities to attract more enrolments, to the spiraling costs of tuition, there’s a clear spotlight on how profit-oriented motives may be undermining the academic mission.

Another poignant aspect of the show is its unravelling of the shocking truth about graduation rates. The discovery that barely half of the students enrolled in four-year degree programs in the US actually graduate is likely to jolt many viewers. This is discussed in the context of how this worrying trend is often hidden or minimized by institutions to protect their reputations and keep the steady flow of incoming students and the accompanying funding.

What makes the Declining by Degrees: Higher Education at Risk the more compelling is its broader societal perspective. It invites expert economists, education specialists, business leaders, and authors to share their insights. They drive home the point that the current state of higher education doesn’t only affect the lives of students and their families, but it also has profound implications on the economic competitiveness and social fabric of the nation.

Ultimately, Declining by Degrees: Higher Education at Risk is not merely a critique of the existing system; it also pushes viewers to consider and debate potential solutions to these problems. These include enhancing teaching methods, restructuring faculty incentives, reconsidering the variable cost economics of tuition, and reassessing the overall purpose and promise of higher education.

In its totality, Declining by Degrees: Higher Education at Risk is a call to action. It urges educators, academicians, policymakers, parents, and students to re-imagine an inclusive and effective system of higher learning that can better meet the needs of the 21st century. This enlightening examination serves as a significant and necessary step toward recognizing the urgency of reforming America's higher education system.