Abstract

What can we learn about teritary education from the USA, asks Mary Stuart
Many people are sceptical about how easily we can transfer practice from different parts of the world to our own context. It is not necessarily that simple. However, the 'not made here' arguments that I sometimes hear from colleagues in institutions frustrate me. There is no reason why 'our' practice is the only way to do things and we are certainly aware that when it comes to tertiary education, in England, for example, there are significant problems with the way we engage across sectors. Scotland has had some success in this area, but even there, colleagues tell me, articulation and progress between further and higher education remains a challenge. I would argue that we need to look and think 'outside our box' and, given that the USA is often heralded as our future, it is useful to get some sense of how they 'do progression and articulation'. Working from a case study of the Wisconsin State System, and one largely vocational HE provider in particular, I want to highlight similarities and differences between our educational systems.