The Daily Riff - BE SMARTER. ABOUT EDUCATION.

First up, an excerpt from today's front page news via The NY Times:

The competition for individual institutions would reward colleges or nonprofit
organizations that boost productivity through such approaches as course redesign
that exploits new technology; early-college preparation that reduces the need for
remedial work; and competency-based approaches to college credit that replace
the traditional model of rewarding hours spent in class.

On Wednesday, Duncan addressed a town Hall in Tallahassee, Florida, addressing adult education, community colleges, and workforce training.  Here is an excerpt which sets up the backdrop for the urgency of this issue, from WCTV:

The pushback?  From Reuters:

Some in the higher education community are nervous that the Obama administration could be setting a new precedent in the federal government's role in controlling the rising costs of college. Following the speech, Molly Corbett Broad, president of the American Council on Education, issued a statement saying there's concern that the proposal would "move decision-making in higher education from college campuses to Washington, D.C."

Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., a former education secretary, said the autonomy of U.S. higher education is what makes it the best in the world, and he's questioned whether Obama can enforce any plan that shifts federal aid away from colleges and universities without hurting students.

Plus, two video clips below from this morning's news programs with Arne Duncan "visiting."  The first from MSNBC's Morning Joe (where the conversation quickly moves toward teacher pay), and the other video from Fox & Friends.