Don't leave trade schools out of 'free college' debate

摘要

Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton have both proposed ways to make it more affordable for students to attend public colleges and universities. Clinton's "New College Compact" would offer new federal money, while requiring states to increase spending on higher education and requiring universities to control spending. Sanders would go even further, beyond "debt-free" all the way to "tuition-free." Republican candidates have thus far not outlined specific plans, but Jeb Bush has pledged to release a broad college af-fordability plan in October, according to Inside Higher Ed. The skyrocketing cost of college tuition is indeed a problem. But at risk of being overlooked is the need to get more students into the nation's trade schools, to fill crucial gaps in occupations such as electrician, carpenter - and diesel technician.