Causing the College Credentials Craze

George Leef

A cause, if not the cause of the college credentials craze (that is, companies ruling out applicants who don't have college degrees even for simple jobs that most high school kids could learn) was the Supreme Court's decision in Griggs v. Duke Power in 1971. In my latest Forbes piece, I explain how that ruling, which mangled the clear words of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to give anti-testing zealots in the EEOC what they wanted, started the credentials mania. I also raise a question that should trouble the higher ed establishment: what if the Court were to apply the logic of Griggs to the widespread requirement of a college degree for work that doesn't clearly necessity any college study or training? That would deflate the bubble very quickly.

  • Share

Most Commented

October 29, 2024

1.

The Looming Irrelevance of Middle East Study Centers

Today’s Middle Eastern Studies Centers are facing a crisis due to the winds of change in the Middle East and their own ideological echo chamber....

November 19, 2024

2.

Lee Zeldin Should Reform EPA Science Policy

NAS welcomes the nomination of Congressmen Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency....

November 20, 2024

3.

NAS Welcomes Administrator McMahon's Nomination to Serve as Education Secretary

With McMahon, the new administration has a chance to drastically slim down and depoliticize the Education Department....

Most Read

May 15, 2015

1.

Where Did We Get the Idea That Only White People Can Be Racist?

A look at the double standard that has arisen regarding racism, illustrated recently by the reaction to a black professor's biased comments on Twitter....

October 12, 2010

2.

Ask a Scholar: What is the True Definition of Latino?

What does it mean to be Latino? Are only Latin American people Latino, or does the term apply to anyone whose language derived from Latin?...

May 26, 2010

3.

10 Reasons Not to Go to College

A sampling of arguments for the idea that college may not be for everyone....