In the article "The failure of college for all", which appeared in the Washington Post on May 28, Robert Samuelson reviews some research findings and concludes that the college-for-all crusade that has driven public policy since the 1940s has outlived its usefulness. While achieving the goal of producing college graduates needed for the economy over the past few decades, the obsessive faith in college education has backfired. Higher education institutions have lowered requirements to enrol and retain more students. As a result, one study shows that after two years, 45% of college students have not significantly improved their critical thinking and writing skills; after four years, some 36% remain in that category. Yet, many graduates are laden with debt and lacking in suitable skills needed by the labour market.