2020 Election: Education

The Story

The cost of college makes everyone want to cry. Now add COVID-19.

The Background

In the past few decades, the cost of college has gone up, up, annnd up, contributing to the nation’s $1.5 trillion student debt problem. Millennials are saying 'we wish' to traditional milestones that contribute to economic growth – like buying a house. Some are graduating with debt only to be underemployed – at a time when unemployment is also skyrocketing.

All of this has led to a debate about how to make college more affordable and help graduates manage their debt. And about whether college is worth its hefty price tag if students aren't necessarily living and learning on campus. Proposals from 2020 candidates range from making four-year public schools completely free to increasing debt forgiveness for certain professions. 

The latest wrench in all this: COVID-19. The Trump admin has let people with federal student loans pause their payments for several weeks. But the future of college remains uncertain as it’s unclear if many colleges will open their doors this fall. In the meantime, much of the country’s K-12 education system has had to adapt to remote learning. But many lower-income families struggle with insufficient internet and computer access.

Meanwhile, a wave of teacher strikes that started in 2018 brought attention to low teacher salaries. And with millions of parents stuck at home with their kids during school days, many have a newfound appreciation for the work that teachers do.

theSkimm

Education is seen as a critical pathway to economic opportunity. Here’s where the candidates stand:

Skimm'd by Hadley Malcolm and Eugenia Cassidy