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Tom Rudin, senior vice president for advocacy, government relations development at the
College Board
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US House of Representatives Hears Testimony on the Benefits of College
On Feb. 26, the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education
and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations held a hearing entitled “Opportunities Lost and Costs to Society: The Social and Economic Burden of Inadequate Education, Training and
Workforce Development.” Tom Rudin, senior vice president for advocacy, government relations and development at the College Board, joined Robert Lynch, professor and chair of economics at Washington College, Harry J. Holzer, professor of public policy
at the Georgetown Public Policy Institute, and William Spriggs, professor and chair of economics at Howard University, in presenting data about the societal value of providing better educational opportunities to more students. Congressman
Dave Obey (D-Wis.), chairman of the Appropriations
Committee, presided.
In his presentation, “Higher Education Pays: The Benefits of Connecting More Students to College Success,” Rudin cited data from the College Board’s report "Education Pays: The Benefits of Higher Education for Individuals and Society,” and discussed not only the significant economic return but also the various ways higher education improves the quality of life for individuals and society.
For example, a reduction in poverty increases material standards of living and improves the overall well-being of the population; the psychological implications of decreased unemployment are also significant. In addition to their nonmonetary benefits, poverty and unemployment affect spending on public assistance programs. He outlined evidence that participating in postsecondary education improves the quality of civic society. Adults with higher levels of education are more likely to engage in organized volunteer work, to vote and to donate blood. They are also more likely to have much lower rates of incarceration and have healthier lifestyles. College-educated adults are more likely than others to be open to differing views of others, and the young children of adults with higher levels of education engage in more extracurricular, cultural, athletic and religious activities than other children.
"The chance to appear before the Appropriations Committee was a terrific opportunity to showcase both the College Board's commitment to college success and the quality of our public policy research," Rudin said. To read the testimony, click here.
