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#197 Taking America Back (to a Less Educated Past)
Apr 24, 2025
Michael Hicks, Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at Ball State University, dives deep into Indiana's troubling educational landscape. He critiques disastrous policy choices over the past decade, including cuts to K-12 education and the inequities of the school voucher program. Hicks argues that these moves have widened the gap in educational attainment and economic prosperity. The conversation highlights the nostalgic pull towards a less educated past and warns of the long-term repercussions of neglecting investment in education.
44:02
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Quick takeaways
- Indiana's educational decline, driven by policy choices that prioritize low taxes over funding, undermines future opportunities for its youth.
- Romanticizing the past distracts from the inequalities of previous eras, emphasizing the critical need for education in today's evolving economy.
Deep dives
Educational Attainment in Indiana
Indiana's educational attainment has significantly declined over the past few decades, with the state now ranking 43rd in the nation for educational achievement. Despite historical strengths in manufacturing and education, Indiana has seen a worrying trend where fewer young adults pursue higher education, resulting in only about half of high school graduates enrolling in college. The cuts to K-12 funding and higher education expenditures have exacerbated this issue, leaving fewer resources available for college preparatory programs and scholarships. As a consequence, many Indiana graduates are entering a workforce ill-equipped for today’s job market, creating a cycle of economic decline.
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