Higher Ed Top Political Issue in 2008 Election

34% of Americans feel that higher education is their number one concern in this year's election, according to a recent survey from "Got Tuition," a bipartisan campaign to make college tuition affordable for every student who wants to get a degree.

Here are some other startling findings from the survey:

• 78% of those surveyed said it is now more difficult to afford a college education than it was 10 years ago

• 64% said higher education is no longer a luxury, it’s necessary to make ends meet

• 64% also agree that the middle class doesn’t get enough help paying for college

The troubling trend in these numbers is that Americans are increasingly putting the burden on the federal government to provide their children with schooling, from pre-kindergarten to college. This is surprising considering the reality that the United States trails so many developed nations in education outcomes. Sadly, Americans are still looking to the government for help instead of breaking out of the system that produces such dismal academic results.

Posted by Shawn Cohen