287: How College Makes or Breaks Us: An Interview with Journalist and Author Paul Tough

21 Oct

Does college still work? Is the system designed just to protect the privileged and leave everyone else behind? Or can a college education today provide real opportunity to young Americas.

Join us for an interview with journalist and author Paul Tough, who has just published The Years That Matter Most: How College Makes or Breaks Us. Specifically we discuss:

  • A summary of Paul’s main ideas about the huge equity gap in American higher education, and some of the contributing factors
  • How Paul was inspired to do such intense research about these factors
  • A case study from University of Texas that shows one institution’s efforts to reduce this equity gap
  • How Paul thinks about his own children’s education differently as a result of doing this research,
  • and more!

Tune in, and let us know what follow up ideas/questions/concerns you have. We might be able to have Paul on again for a follow up conversation. If that happens, we’d like to include your questions!