Americans are losing faith in higher education. Nearly half of adults believe a college degree is less important to get a well-paying job than it was 20 years ago, and only a quarter believe a four-year degree is a very important part of getting a job that pays well.

The question of value is front and center for policymakers across the country and in Washington.

For too long, postsecondary education programs have been focused on too many aspects not related to student success. We’ve encouraged enrollment without as much concern for whether students are completing or getting the most value out of the program. That’s no longer good enough. Students deserve programs that lead to meaningful, high-wage employment, and taxpayers deserve accountability for the billions they invest each year.

Governors and policymakers must prioritize rethinking postsecondary resources to answer an important question: Is our system creating real value for students?

Fortunately, a growing number of states are embracing student-centered reforms that align educational opportunities with economic mobility. Their efforts are pointing the way toward a smarter, more transparent model of postsecondary education that prioritizes outcomes over inputs.

For example, Arkansas conducted a comprehensive return-on-investment analysis of every associate and bachelor’s degree program in the state, assessing whether they help students earn more than they would with only a high school diploma. It’s a........

© The Korea Times