Declining Trust in Education Among College Educated Adults: 1974-2016

• In Event: 3429 - Section on Sociology of Education Refereed Roundtables (1 hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: 23. Morality, Trust, and Character Education

Abstract

The number of people attending college in the US has dramatically increased in recent decades. What has been the effect on trust in education and how has this changed over time? Using data from the General Social Surveys (1973-2016), I employ a Mixed Effects Binary Logistic model to examine perceptions of Education between 1973 and 2016 (N=21284). Findings show the lowest levels of trust in Education since 1973 among educated publics. Those with a college degree are less trusting of education and they have become increasingly distrusting of the institution over time. These findings are separate from general trends in institutional trust. In fact, education typical has a favorable impact on trust in institutions. The association poses larger questions about the purpose of education. Not only do schools allocate skills and knowledge, they serve as a crucial site in which citizens experience public authority and engage in civic learning. The results suggest changes in the public discourse that delink education from jobs. Moreover, policy changes that support free higher education should be considered.

Author

• Michael A. Miner, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee