--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm all for reforming our higher…" description: "\"I'm all for reforming our higher education system, in the 21st century, to have the skills you need for a middle-class job, you need higher education o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00a/marco-rubio-355_21st-century_i-m-all-for-reforming-our-higher-educati_3084381.png" --- # I'm all for reforming our higher education system, in the… ![“I'm all for reforming our higher education system, in the 21st century, to have the skills you need for a middle-class job, you need higher education of some form or fashion. It may not be a four-year degree. The problem is he just wants to pour that additional money into the broken, existing…” quote by Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00a/marco-rubio-355_21st-century_i-m-all-for-reforming-our-higher-educati_3084381.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00a/marco-rubio-355_21st-century_i-m-all-for-reforming-our-higher-educati_3084381.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00a/marco-rubio-355_21st-century_i-m-all-for-reforming-our-higher-educati_3084381.png) > “I'm all for reforming our higher education system, in the 21st century, to have the skills you need for a middle-class job, you need higher education of some form or fashion. It may not be a four-year degree. The problem is he just wants to pour that additional money into the broken, existing system.” [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Education should equip people with marketable skills, not strictly a four‑year degree, yet funding often props up ineffective institutions. **In simple terms:** Skills matter more than degree length, but money goes to broken schools. Key Takeaway Support flexible, skill‑focused learning pathways. Themes education economy policy Mood optimistic critical Type policy analytical When to use this quote - workforce development - vocational training - community colleges - online courses Key Concepts skill‑based learning public funding systemic inertia Questions to Reflect On - What alternative funding models could work? - How to measure skill outcomes effectively? A Different Perspective Political opposition may block reforms; funding is limited. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/class/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Education system](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education-system/) [Fashion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashion/) [Higher Ed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/higher-ed/) [Higher education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/higher-education/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Middle class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle-class/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Skills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skills/) ## Related quotes > [Our higher education system is controlled by what amounts to a cartel of existing colleges and universities, which use their power over the accreditation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/our-higher-education-system-is-controlled-by-what-amounts-to-a-cartel/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [The problem is that we are trying to prepare people for the new economy using a higher education system built for the old economy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/the-problem-is-that-we-are-trying-to-prepare-people-for-the-new/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [“…I’d let those entering (grad) students in on my secret—higher education is all about perseverance. It has nothing to do with smarts or creativity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-wells/i-d-let-those-entering-grad-students-in-on-my-secret-higher-education/) Melanie Wells > [Those days are long gone. But our corporations haven't caught up with it. Our law firms, our higher education system, and our medical institutions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicki-donlan/those-days-are-long-gone-but-our-corporations-haven-t-caught-up-with/) [Vicki Donlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicki-donlan/) > [America needs the best education system in the world. We have it in higher education. We do not have it in general education for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-glenn/america-needs-the-best-education-system-in-the-world-we-have-it-in/) [John Glenn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-glenn/) > [Our higher education system is one of the things that makes America exceptional. There's no place else that has the assets we do when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/our-higher-education-system-is-one-of-the-things-that-makes-america/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [We sometimes forget how fortunate we are - the excellence of our higher education system being a good example.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/we-sometimes-forget-how-fortunate-we-are-the-excellence-of-our-higher/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) > [The challenge is to replace our broken higher education system with one that has the potential to transform the lives of individuals and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-streeting/the-challenge-is-to-replace-our-broken-higher-education-system-with/) [Wes Streeting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-streeting/) > [Starting in high school and continuing through our higher education system, we must ensure our students are on the right path to acquiring marketable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-mccrory/starting-in-high-school-and-continuing-through-our-higher-education/) Pat McCrory > [ Refinancing won't fix everything that's broken with our \[American\] higher education system. We've got to bring down the cost of college. And we need… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-warren/refinancing-won-t-fix-everything-that-s-broken-with-our-american/) [Elizabeth Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-warren/) > [Our higher education system is broken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-cardona/our-higher-education-system-is-broken/) [Miguel Cardona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-cardona/) > [Because if you don't have a great workforce, a great higher education system, you're not going to have the next eBay, the next AmGen,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-whitman/because-if-you-don-t-have-a-great-workforce-a-great-higher-education/) [Meg Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-whitman/) > [Wishful thinking did not give Oregonians the bottle bill. Wishful thinking did not give the public access to beaches. Nor can we expect wishful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-wheeler/wishful-thinking-did-not-give-oregonians-the-bottle-bill-wishful/) [Ted Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-wheeler/) > [The higher education system in these countries (US, Korea etc) has become like a theatre in which some people decided to stand to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ha-joon-chang/the-higher-education-system-in-these-countries-us-korea-etc-has/) [Ha-Joon Chang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ha-joon-chang/) > [“Lazlo Bock, senior vice president of people operations at Google, made the following comments in an interview published by the New York Times in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-hugh-smith/lazlo-bock-senior-vice-president-of-people-operations-at-google-made/) [Charles Hugh Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-hugh-smith/) ## More by Marco Rubio > [Conservatism is not about leaving people behind. Conservatism is about empowering people to catch up, to give them the tools at their disposable that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/conservatism-is-not-about-leaving-people-behind-conservatism-is-about/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [However, however, if the goal is to abandon America's free enterprise economy, if the goal is to convert America into a submissive member of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/however-however-if-the-goal-is-to-abandon-america-s-free-enterprise/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [The president we have today is a typical Washington politician that's prone to hyperbole and decisiveness and false outrage. And I think it's very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/the-president-we-have-today-is-a-typical-washington-politician-that-s/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [Donald Trump is not going to be the nominee, because we are not going to allow - people will wake up and we're not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/donald-trump-is-not-going-to-be-the-nominee-because-we-are-not-going/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [My first job paid well for a young attorney. I was making over $50,000, which was more than either of my parents had ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/my-first-job-paid-well-for-a-young-attorney-i-was-making-over-50-000/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [My dad was a bartender. My mom was a cashier, a maid and a stock clerk at K-Mart. They never made it big. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/my-dad-was-a-bartender-my-mom-was-a-cashier-a-maid-and-a-stock-clerk/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [Now, look, it's true, Americans do want leaders that will come to Washington, D.C. and work together to get things done, but that comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/now-look-it-s-true-americans-do-want-leaders-that-will-come-to/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [I have been an underdog my whole life, both in life and in politics. We're going to do well. We're going to pick up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/i-have-been-an-underdog-my-whole-life-both-in-life-and-in-politics-we/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [Certainly being governor is an important job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/certainly-being-governor-is-an-important-job/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [The conservative movement is about government playing its important yet limited role, and about not falling into the trap of believing that every problem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/the-conservative-movement-is-about-government-playing-its-important/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [The greatest thing that we can do for the world is be America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/the-greatest-thing-that-we-can-do-for-the-world-is-be-america/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [Our people want jobs. They don't want a safety net as a way of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/our-people-want-jobs-they-don-t-want-a-safety-net-as-a-way-of-life/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [I believe that every single human being is entitled to the protection of our laws, whether they can vote or not. Whether they can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/i-believe-that-every-single-human-being-is-entitled-to-the-protection/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [I don't measure success by how many buildings have my name on it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/i-don-t-measure-success-by-how-many-buildings-have-my-name-on-it/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [Any time you can degrade or take away the top leadership of an organization, it's a positive step forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/any-time-you-can-degrade-or-take-away-the-top-leadership-of-an/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) [Explore all 649 Marco Rubio quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) ## More 21st century quotes > [The young people today are the 21st century.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-scorsese/the-young-people-today-are-the-21st-century/) [Martin Scorsese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-scorsese/) > [“You know it’s the 21st Century when someone TEXTS you from the washroom to ask you to bring them a roll of toilet paper.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/comic-strip-mama/you-know-it-s-the-21st-century-when-someone-texts-you-from-the/) Comic Strip Mama > [“I am made of a thousand ghosts. Only you can shoot me down.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bella-james/i-am-made-of-a-thousand-ghosts-only-you-can-shoot-me-down/) Bella James > [Like many others, I have deep misgivings about the state of education in the United States. Too many of our students fail to graduate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/like-many-others-i-have-deep-misgivings-about-the-state-of-education/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [Undeniably, character does count for our citizens, out communities, and our Nation, and this week we celebrate the importance of character in our individual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/undeniably-character-does-count-for-our-citizens-out-communities-and/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [The hope of Internet anarchists was that repressive governments would have only two options: accept the Internet with its limitless possibilities of spreading information,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/the-hope-of-internet-anarchists-was-that-repressive-governments-would/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [Maybe we need a tax credit for the poorest Americans to buy a laptop. Now, maybe that's wrong, maybe that's expensive, maybe we can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/newt-gingrich/maybe-we-need-a-tax-credit-for-the-poorest-americans-to-buy-a-laptop/) [Newt Gingrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/newt-gingrich/) > [The 20th century has been marked by cynicism, selfishness, greed, and the desire to please, all without changing the status quo. In the 21st…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/the-20th-century-has-been-marked-by-cynicism-selfishness-greed-and/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [I firmly believe that the mission of religion in the 21st century must be to contribute concretely to the peaceful coexistence of humankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daisaku-ikeda/i-firmly-believe-that-the-mission-of-religion-in-the-21st-century/) [Daisaku Ikeda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daisaku-ikeda/) > [Facebook, Twitter...Welcome to The 21st Century...Where Someone can stalk you without leaving the couch!..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/facebook-twitter-welcome-to-the-21st-century-where-someone-can-stalk/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Human Race is all over universe! And I am the first person to inform you. I am the most influential person of this decade…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashwani-kumar-ojha/human-race-is-all-over-universe-and-i-am-the-first-person-to-inform/) [Ashwani Kumar Ojha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashwani-kumar-ojha/) > [Like the railroads that brought us together in the 19th century, these trails will bring us together in the 20th and 21st centuries. (at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/like-the-railroads-that-brought-us-together-in-the-19th-century-these/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [What I love about making albums in the 21st century is that so few people buy albums! I can make an album without any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moby/what-i-love-about-making-albums-in-the-21st-century-is-that-so-few/) [Moby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moby/) > [As a former Apollo astronaut, I think it's safe to say that SpaceX and the other commercial developers embody the 21st century version of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rusty-schweickart/as-a-former-apollo-astronaut-i-think-it-s-safe-to-say-that-spacex-and/) [Rusty Schweickart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rusty-schweickart/) > [The computer provides the only way to give students a real foundation in 21st-century skills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-negroponte/the-computer-provides-the-only-way-to-give-students-a-real-foundation/) [Nicholas Negroponte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-negroponte/) Browse all 771 21st century quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm all for reforming our higher education system, in the 21st century, to have the skills you need for a middle-class job, you need higher education of some form or fashion. 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