Florida must reverse disinvestment trend in higher education - BRADENTON HERALD EDITORIAL

Tallahassee's policies on higher education make a mockery of Florida's commitment to economic competitiveness, business development and job creation. The state's university and college systems continue to come under fiscal attack from the Legislature despite rising fears that the business community will not be able to find enough qualified graduates to fill critical job openings that require postsecondary degrees. According to an analysis by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, 59 percent of Florida jobs will require a college education by 2018. But the 2010 Census shows only 36.5 percent of state residents hold at least a two-year associates degree. The percentage for Manatee County is slightly less, at 36.3, while the national average is 38.3 percent. == http://www.bradenton.com/2012/04/22/4007008/florida-must-reverse-disinvestment.html