Our Underachieving Colleges

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Drawing on extensive empirical evidence, former Harvard President Derek Bok evaluates the actual progress college students make toward key undergraduate education goals. His findings are concerning. While many students show some improvement, they fall short in critical areas such as writing, critical thinking, quantitative skills, and moral reasoning. A significant number of college seniors feel they have not made meaningful progress in foreign language proficiency, cultural interests, or becoming informed citizens. Despite increased resources, advanced technology, and numerous new courses, colleges cannot be assured that students are learning more effectively than they did fifty years ago. Bok also highlights that many essential courses are taught by less experienced instructors, and most professors stick to teaching methods that are less effective than alternatives. Faculty discussions often focus on course requirements rather than the teaching methods that significantly influence student outcomes. In his concluding chapter, Bok outlines potential changes that faculty and academic leaders can implement to enhance student achievement. While acknowledging the contributions of American colleges, Bok presents a compelling critique that educators must heed.