Economic Policy Institute

The Economic Policy Institute is a non-partisan think tank developed in 1986 to discuss economic policy targeting low to middle income workers. They are proponents for fair wages, health care and retirement benefits for low to middle income workers (EPI, 2011). The proposed policies and programs are intended to improve the economic conditions of these workers. They are involved in research that crosses many different areas including education, labor interests, health care benefits and retirement. All issues are related to the low to middle income worker and how policy can positively or negatively impact them. They are involved in conducting research papers and policy analysis and are a voice at all levels of government (EPI, 2011).

Their interest on the education front involves leveling the playing field and closing the gap between low to middle income students.

An interesting report discusses the slow recovery and the economy and its impact on default rates and unemployment. The report indicates that graduates of color are facing larger numbers for unemployment (Austin, 2010). The paper, Graduate Employment Gap: Students of Color Losing Ground, indicates that high unemployment rates combined with large debt loads from attending college will impact the ability for building wealthy and for paying their debt back (Austin, 2010).

Another report indicates that students are earning less than they were ten years ago and yet the cost of education is constantly increasing (Shierholz, 2011).

I find this organization interesting because they are touching a lot of different research areas including education at both the secondary and post secondary levels. I like how they are tying in education and the current state of economy as they are both heavily intertwined.

Austin, A. (2010). A historically slow recovery. Retrieved from http://www.epi.org/news/a-historically-slow-recovery/.

Economic Policy Institute. (2011). About. Retrieved from http://www.epi.org/about/.

Shierholz, H. (2011). New college grads losing ground on wages. Retrieved from http://www.epi.org/publication/new_college_grads_losing_ground_on_wages/.