Students dont have the understanding of how the chain of command works. We hear their concerns and we do follow up on them but sometimes its not the results they are looking for. Sometimes they just take something so small an turn it into something big than they want to expose the school for one little issue and not the good we do every day for them.
I believe the affect the media has had on regulation is profound. Some has been fair but other items have been very narrow in scope. My school, for instance, has never had an issue with Admission's and gifts/bonuses, although I now this to be a "hot button" topic right now.
Nyssa,
Well said. Like anything else, I think that all sectors may have various levels of quality within its constituency and it is important not to stereotype.
Traci Lee
Mala,
Agreed that proactive helps in getting ahead of issues.
Traci Lee
I wish the media would focus on other positive attributes of career schools - like the one you mentioned. I have had students who are approaching graduation come to my office so excited by what they've learned - and the confidence they've gained in themselves because they've learned *how* to learn. With their new belief in themselves, they not only look forward to new career opportunities, but now realize they can attain higher education, which had once seemed daunting.
This has been my complaint with the media as well - without any attempt to distinguish between schools, or even types of schools, they paint with a broad brush, making the entire industry seem suspect. All the while, the public institutions seem to get a pass.
But on closer inspection, many if not all accreditors of career colleges require their member schools to achieve benchmarks in placement. Does this also apply to the large regionally-accredited colleges? No. Yet it's possible for a student to spend far more at a 4-year regionally-accredited school than at a career college - and sometimes with little vocational opportunities to show for it.
But the media tide may be turning. Recent articles this year (2012) have started examining whether the larger schools may be resulting in large student debt without any guarantee of return on that investment.
Media exposes have created an air of distrust in the public toward targeted schools, which has led to increased regulation. It's far better to anticipate exposure proactively by seeking out questionable areas and correcting them.
Hlee,
You are so right about the speed of today's media. The ability to communicate promptly and broadly has certainly increased the impact of media.
Traci Lee
The media can get word around quickly these days. If a student is unhappy with something, they can try to use the media to manipulate the situation and get their way. The media can also be a source for students or staff members on how other educational institutes are running their programs. People will be happy when their own campus is doing better compared to others, or they can become disgruntled when they realize that their campus is not doing as well as the other campuses.
Mass-media is probably the most performing way to get informed nowadays. Any kind of information educates in a way ore another. The level of how verdict is the information is very relative, that's why when information is used for educating young generations it has to be reviewed and maybe adapted to some norms.
A lot of the advertising that schools or colleges play on TV, Radios, Newspapers, Internet, etc are false advertisment. Once a student actually gets to graduate from that specific school or college, and they haven't experienced nothing that they were told by the ads or school, then they feel cheated.
Imagine thousands of students complaining about not getting what they were told at the begining ! This is exactly why the regulatory environment in the education industry is so strict about following procedures and making sure the student is getting what they are paying/enrolling for.
Andra,
I am all for accountability. I think one of our challenges is that some of the well intended regulations end up causing greater confusion and in some cases, additional expenses that get passed on to students with higher tuition.
Traci Lee
The media has grown increasingly skeptical of the legitimacy and integrity of "for-profit" educational institutions. However I'm not sure it is the cause of the increased regulation or the result of the Department of Education's growing scrutiny. It is unfortunate that the media has taken side against career colleges, while continuing to support public colleges which also result in profits, take a substantial amount of government funding, and have difficulty keeping placements up in this economy, however they do not face the same increasing regulations. I hope that more media coverage will be aimed at exposing the lack of an even playing field amongst higher education, but it seems unlikely given the current media bias.
The media gets a bad rap for thier "investigative" reports on education. The truth is, is if we do our jobs, follow all regulation requirements and stick to the authorized scripting given to us, we shouldn't be worried about being investigated and set up. Now that may be a semi-negative way to portray these investigations, so on a postive note, the threat of being investigated or probed or shopped has made educational facilities more accountable for thier actions and enhance focus on these areas.
Lisa,
The positive focus on student success is certainly a positive!
Traci Lee
My opinion is that the media has had a positive influence on the regulatory environment in the education industry. It has forced us to talk, not only about our student success, but our corporate success. IE what we have found that works and does not work as a school, best practices for instructors, admissions and administration.
Alecia,
I agree that transparency is beneficial for informed decision making by students. It is just disappointing that the regulations had to force this level of disclosure which comes with certain guidelines that may cause unintended confusion as "apples-to-apples" comparisons are challenging.
Traci Lee
I do think that the media has influenced the regulatory environment in the education industry because it has given the public more information regarding tactics used by schools to influence enrollment. Such scrutiny will pressure schools to operate in the best interest of the students that they serve. It is important that students are informed so they make better decisions when opting to borrow student loans.
Sandra ,
Great to hear that you have happy students! Keep it up!
Traci Lee
I'm new to the education industry (Registrar) but find everyone's opinion both true and interesting. I've definitely learned a great deal just by reading all the posts. Our school is small with about 150 students. I would say, for us at this point, the students opinions outweigh the media. Positive feedback and referrals from prior students is what helps us grow. Even though it seems like a lot or frustration sets in, following the standards and having internal audits makes life a little easier. "Happy Students = Happy School" :)
Mary,
Great point about how media could help positivity impact the unemployment crisis by touting the benefits to those who obtain a college education.
Traci Lee
