PEW report on US incomes during “recovery”.
A shrinking middle class in US is less likely to be able to afford high costs of some versions of education. Most obviously higher education, but perhaps also puts pressure on state and local governments tax base to fund k-12.
That trend supports alternative educational forms such as online education that can offer a reduced cost level. It also encourages new forms of learning outside traditional paths and means…and perhaps the issue of accreditation comes to the fore. Are we going to require the “credit hours” or are we going to focus on what competency a potential job applicant can demonstrate?