Budget Challenges at a Remarkable Mississippi School
by James Fallows
An update on what’s happening at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science. (Read it here.)
Category Archives: Community Colleges and Career-Technical Schools
Another Look at Maine Maritime: Who is Providing Value, to Whom, and How?
Another Look at Maine Maritime: Who is Providing Value, to Whom, and How?
by James Fallows
In response to our series of posts about Maine Maritime Academy, we heard from a reader who pushes back on the notion that the merchant-marine academies provide very high career-earnings value to their students, at a low cost. Jim lets him have the floor here to make the argument that the “value added” in higher salaries comes from legislatively protected earnings for merchant seamen. More on this argument, including strong counter-arguments, coming soon. (Read it here.)
Another Honor for Maine Maritime Academy, at an Important Time
Another Honor for Maine Maritime Academy, at an Important Time
by James Fallows
This is an update, with news, about Maine Maritime Academy, an institution that perfectly illustrates an important theme we’ve developed in the American Futures project about education in this country. Fallows tells us about the continuing, well-deserved recognition MMA is receiving for the incredible “added value” of its degree programs. Poignantly, Fallows also offers an appreciation for the five MMA alumni who lost their lives when the cargo ship El Faro sank on October 1 during Hurricane Joaquin. (Read it here.)
A Community College at the Center of an Oregon Recovery Story
A Community College at the Center of an Oregon Recovery Story
by James Fallows
When the lumber industry left, the region bet its future on technology—even though it lacked a research university. (Read it here.)
Post-Memorial Day Note: Another Kind of Service, in San Bernardino
Post-Memorial Day Note: Another Kind of Service, in San Bernardino
by James Fallows
“I don’t just sit around. I don’t sleep much. That’s what I do. I do stuff.” The story of a man determined to do something for his town. (Read it here.)
Raj Shaunak and the Economic Boom in Eastern Mississippi
Raj Shaunak and the Economic Boom in Eastern Mississippi 
by James Fallows
It’s one thing to draw high-skill, high-wage jobs to a place that has historically lacked opportunities. It’s something else altogether to find people qualified to fill them. A local answer to a national question. (Read it here.)
A High School That Teaches Students to Fly, and Other Innovations in ‘Career Technical’ Education
A High School That Teaches Students to Fly, and Other Innovations in ‘Career Technical’ Education
by James Fallows
“A lot of problem-solving skills grow out of the experience of doing things rather than thinking about things.” (Read it here.)
‘Career Technical’ Education: More Middle in the Middle Class?
‘Career Technical’ Education: More Middle in the Middle Class?
by James Fallows
Training students for jobs that are less likely to be outsourced, de-skilled, or stuck at minimum wage. (Read it here.)
High School in Southern Georgia: What ‘Career Technical’ Education Looks Like
High School in Southern Georgia: What ‘Career Technical’ Education Looks Like
by James Fallows
A school that is famous for football is notable in an entirely different way. (Read it here.)
Career-Oriented Education vs. the Liberal Arts
Career-Oriented Education vs. the Liberal Arts
by John Tierney
Readers weigh in with compelling opinions on Maine Maritime Academy, liberal-arts colleges, and big questions. (Read it here.)
American Futures 