Two-year colleges are enjoying some time in the political spotlight after President Obama’s $60 billion “free” community college proposal.
But while it’s incredibly unlikely that the proposal will get funding and support from a Republican-led Congress, Democrats are telling community college leaders that this is just beginning.
Community college leaders are in Washington D.C. for a conference this week and Democrats touted the way Obama’s proposal had led to an improved conversation about higher education.
James Kvaal, deputy director of the White House’s domestic policy council, was quoted by Inside Higher Ed as telling community college leaders this week not to expect anything from Washington in the near future.
“This is something that we’re going to need to talk about and continue to work on over a period of time,” he said. Kvaal instead believes that for now it will have to come from cities, states or “incremental steps forward in Congress.”
Congressional Democrats who spoke at the conference held a similar opinion, IHE reported.
“The president’s proposal isn’t a finished project,” said Rep. Mark Takano (D- Calif.) “It’s a conversation starter.”
Sen. Dick Durbin (D – Ill.) said that it was encouraging to see a shift in approach to postsecondary education among his colleagues. He said that while funding might still be an issue, more people are recognizing the importance of a degree.
“We are now suggesting that K through 12 is 20th-century talk,” he said. “Now it’s K through 14.”
