A. Barton Hinkle on the State College Ripoff

"You can observe a lot just by watching," said Yogi Berra. A national group has been watching Virginia's colleges and universities, and much that it has observed is not flattering. Grumpy old skinflints and youthful Occupy protesters alike should take note. A new report by ACTA, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, notes research indicating nearly half of all college students make no learning gains in their first two years, and 36 percent show no significant intellectual growth even after four years. Yet, writes A. Barton Hinkle, GPAs have been trending upward.