A (unpublished) letter to the editor
Dear Mr. Falcone (Editorial Editor RGJ) 12/06/05Recently I dropped off a letter/editorial/... Regarding education in Northern Nevada. RGJ had run an article, I added my two cents to it (also of interest… Rush Limbaugh had a piece on the subject on his Tuesday show). I guess this subject is like the weather… everyone talks about it, but of course nothing can be done... or, (according to College administrators) "pay no attention to the little man behind the curtain!" it’s all under control… we have it handled. You betcha they do. I’ve seen the inbred cronyism in action (first hand)! But… since we’re just a little backwater wide-spot in the road & I guess nobody really gives a damn one way or the other. Letter Follows(Note: As of this date, I have had no response from Mr Falcone or RGJ)CL Dickinson
Letter to editor re:Less than half graduate from states universities… (RGJ 12/5/05)
Re: Less than half graduate from states universities… (RGJ 12/5/05)
The “system officials” see a “service economy that does not require higher education degrees to earn a decent living” as a problem. The only problem I see is a myopic view and a refusal to acknowledge that a good plumber is often worth far more than the most educated of them (sometimes a good plumber is worth far more than a PHd). Not all students are cut out to be a “suit & tie guy”. Is this really a problem? Where would this country be without skilled labor? Those of us involved in technical/vocational education know this. We preach this as passionately as a TV preacher… but, as viewed as the “dirty fingernail bunch” are politely ignored or told we just don’t understand. Those who push too hard for change are quietly swept under the rug.
Now here’s a real problem: Increasing enrollments. This will force the system to either increase capacity or (as being talked about now) and/or limit access by increasing GPA requirements. This will further limit opportunities for those talented students who are more interested in motors than Machiavelli. And.. What about all those graduates from the newly proposed technical high-school? There are clearly two career paths branching here, but only one is being actively supported.
A solution:
Nevada needs an independent technical college system… (there, the cats out of the bag, the unthinkable has been said). An academic degree focused administrations attempt to manage a vocational/technical system is dysfunctional (akin to having a medical doctor oversee plumbing repairs). Many states have already implemented a separately managed system of technical college’s. It’s time Nevada gets on board (I believe a private off-the-record talk with anyone involved in technical/vocational education, apprenticeship programs or workforce education would support this).
Every day we see in the paper how badly business needs an educated technical workforce. We also are informed that high-tech./high-wage industry will not relocate to Nevada without one, (our existing industries also indicate an untrained workforce is their number one problem). I have trained people all over the country (for over 13 years now). Here in Nevada I have found bright, intelligent, motivated students. I have found talented qualified people willing and able to teach vocational/technical subjects. But… that dirty-fingernail bunch…. Quite an embarrassment to the fingerbowl set.
I realize money is tight and resources are limited. In construction it’s far better to put the money in a good foundation than hiring a fancy interior decorator. I think it’s time we start working on the foundation.
Charles L. Dickinson
Former (non-reassigned) Instructor: Industrial Maintenance Technology
Truckee Meadows Community College
Reno NV
