Daren,
It’s been quite obvious for awhile that the commission and Spellings would be looking at a national system or some form of No Child Left Behind on the higher education level. I believe Spellings and her speech writers added the comments about not wanting a national system of higher education to offset those who see the proposals for what they are – more government involvement in higher education.
If Spellings is concerned about need-based financial aid, then lets find private organizations and donors who share that same view and have them to pay for it, instead of pushing the bill on all taxpayers. I’m sure there are enough groups out there who believe need-based financial aid is important and would fund scholarships and financial aid program without federal government involvement. The same is true for merit-based scholarships as well.
The education establishment, including Spellings, is too quick to ask government (fund financial aid) to do what the private sector is more than able and willing to accomplish.
