Is Strighterline Ripping Unsuspecting Students Off?

[skyfall123]

If you advertise that a student can complete his/her full freshman year of college through you....and you advertise that knowing that the claim is currently absolutely, positively 100% totally inaccurate ....what does that make you?

It seems that the new owners of Straighterline are taking great liberties with the truth in an effort to line their pockets. Freshman Year College get started with online college courses - StraighterLine

At first glance an unsuspecting student might look at that broad list of courses and think that Striaghterline's claim is true. But is it ? How many of the courses on that list actually qualify for college credit? Well of the 15 courses that they imply will earn college credit, only 9 actually do....9 x 3 = 27 credits, which is almost a year....but the truth is, it isn't a year.

Upon further review of Straighterline's site, they repeat over and over again that their courses are approved for college credit. In reality only 9 of the 15 that they present as college credit courses will actually qualify as college credit courses. Yet they are currently advertising and charging people for 6 courses that are absolutely positively not worth any college credit at all.

Was Straighterline always like this? No, definitely not. Jenifer and the old crew were educators. They would do the right thing and post that new courses were coming soon....that is the correct way to handle it. Do you want to know why? They knew that just because you apply for ACE Credit, doesn't mean you'll get it. Then why on earth would the current Straighterline advertise and charge people for courses that are not college credit courses? Either they are supremely confident that college age students desperate to earn college credit quickly will either not read the fine print when they sign up, might discover the courses are too difficult and never complete them, or they might hope that the courses are approved by ACE before people like me expose them.

The charade is over Straighterline....your advertising is full of deception, inaccuracies and outright fabrications. If you hope to extract any more money from people on this forum or others who may come to read wonderful reviews of Straighterline.....those days might be over.

If ACE decides to drop you, you're done. Those 9 courses that presently do earn ACE college credit recommendations will then become officially worthless...just like the other 6 you are presently charging for and trying to pass off as having ACE's approval.

I asked a simple question the other day about when you were expecting ACE to approve the courses that you are currently charging for even though the courses currently do not earn students any college credit. I was not given a direct answer, which got me thinking...Calculus I, Biology with and without lab, Chemistry with and without lab and Business Communications. These are the courses that ARE NOT ACE APPROVED that you are currently charging students up to $399 per course to take. Why aren't they ACE approved ? Well we both know that course approval takes time. People from this forum remember when UExcel was started by Excelsior. Quite a few people took exams with the expectation that course approval was just around the corner and they were the lucky ones to be able to be part of the testing group. What happened? Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months and it took nearly a year for UExcel to get approval for their exams. Did UExcel charge unsuspecting students for their exams before they were officially granted college credit? Of course not, nor would any company with an ounce of integrity. In reality Straighterline should be paying us to take those 6 courses.

Which brings me back to Straighterline, and the reluctance of the "Straighterline Team" to tell us when exactly the 6 courses that they are charging up to $399 for will actually be granted ACE college credit.

There is a process that they must go through with ACE which includes students taking the courses. This is where fantasy meets reality. They sent notices out to previous students telling them that the first ten who respond could take the courses for free, providing that they pay for the books and any other materials. So lets say that someone like you or I actually forked over $100 for the new course books, then they opened them up and began Calculus I, Biology with lab, or Chemistry with lab....all with no guarantee of credit. After spending weeks trying to answer the 457th question is it possible that some of these ten students say....to hell with this, I'm going to go CLEP out of this course. Of course.....that's why Straighterline can't answer when or if those courses that they are currently charging up to $399 will ever be approved by ACE.

They won't answer because they don't know. It could be a year and it could be never. That is the only truth that you can be sure of.

[slimcustomer]

Thanks! I saw this post and decided I would do a little investigating of Straighterline on my own. After checking out their website, I signed up for 4 Straighterline courses today. It was easy to understand which courses were approved by ACE for college credit, which ones were pending approval by ACE and which ones were college courses not for college credit, which is a common practice at a number of colleges and universities. Since many colleges consider 12 credits a semester full time status, I don't have a problem with Straighterline promoting a freshman year of college package deal that can include 27 credits worth of college courses with a developmental college course or a course under review for college credit thrown in. It only makes sense that Straighterline hasn't told us when the courses under review will be approved by ACE since ACE will approve the courses if and when they want to. I don't believe I've seen anything that Straighterline has stated to the contrary. Understanding all of this, Straighterline has got to be one of the best deals in higher education out there right now. It was even a better deal for me because I used a promo code.

[skyfall123]

Here is the press release for the 6 courses that ARE NOT ACE APPROVED that they are currently charging up to $399 a piece for. It is interesting that they refer to them as college courses. ACE does not currently recognize them as college courses. Also note how he talks about the ten courses for the "Freshman Year for $999" . You get to pay for and take 10, but he leaves out the fact that you won't get college credit for them all. Pathetic....


ALEXANDRIA, VA, September 18, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- StraighterLine (Online College Courses - Distance Learning Courses - StraighterLine) announced today the launch of six new online college courses, bringing the total number offered by the company to fifteen. With greater course variety, students have the opportunity to save even more on their college education. StraighterLine's extremely flexible and affordable online college courses allow students to save up to 90% on their first year of college by helping ease the burden of balancing a busy lifestyle while earning a college degree.Course credits transfer to any of StraighterLine's partner colleges and universities or through the ACE Credit service. BLATANT UNTRUTH

"StraighterLine is providing an invaluable service, especially with the high cost of college. It is not necessary today to spend thousands of dollars on a single course," said John Walsh of Delmar, NY - StraighterLine student.

Currently, StraighterLine offers fifteen entry-level college courses online, including College Algebra, Precalculus, Calculus, Business Writing, Introduction to Biology for non-majors, Introduction to Biology for non-majors with a lab, General Chemistry 1, General Chemistry 1 with a lab, English Comp I, English Comp II, Accounting I, Accounting II, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Business Statistics and two developmental courses, with more to be offered soon. StraighterLine partner colleges and universities include the following institutions:

* American InterContinental University (American InterContinental University – AIU)

* American College of Dubai (American College of Dubai, Dubai, UAE)

* Ashford University (http://www.ashford.edu)

* Assumption College (Assumption College: A Catholic College founded by the Augustinians of the Assumption)

* Capella University (Online Education Degree Program - Online Degree Programs - Online University Degrees)

* Charter Oak State College (Charter Oak State College - Finish Your Degree Online)

* Excelsior College (http://www.excelsior.edu)

* Fort Hays State University (Fort Hays State University)

* Jefferson Community and Technical College (Jefferson Community and Technical College - Jefferson Home)

* Kaplan University (Online University Degrees or Campus Learning - Accredited Degrees | Kaplan University)

* Lake City Community College (http://www.lakecitycc.edu)

* Nazarene Bible College (Campus and Online Christian Education - Nazarene Bible College)

* Potomac College (Business and Computer School Online, Washington DC and Virginia - Potomac)

* The University of Akron (The University of Akron : UA Home)

* Thompson Rivers University (Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning, Distance and Online Education, British Columbia, Canada)

* Western Governors University (Online University | Online College | Western Governors University)

"With the addition of these courses, students can not only get a freshman year for less than $1,000, but have a variety of choices," says Burck Smith, CEO and Founder of StraighterLine. "StraighterLine saves money for students and taxpayers."

StraighterLine

StraighterLine is a leader in making a quality college education more affordable. StraighterLine's programs are a great way to tackle the escalating cost of four-year college tuition and avoid a mountain of student debt.

StraighterLine offers two innovative programs. The "Freshman Year for $999" program, designed to help college students and their families address rampant rising tuition costs of college education. Students can take up to 10 StraighterLine courses for a single fee of $999 and realize savings of more than 90% versus the first-year tuition at many colleges. Students can also enroll in a subscription package for $99 a month, plus $39 per course taken, that allows students with the time and ability to complete course materials in a shorter time, with even greater savings. Both programs include up to 10 hours of one-on-one instructional support.

Students who successfully complete StraighterLine distance learning courses receive credit when they enroll with any school in our rapidly expanding network of regionally accredited partner colleges and universities. In addition, the American Council on Education's College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT - ACE | College Credit Recommendation Service) has also evaluated and recommended college credit for StraighterLine courses. [B]WHICH DO NOT INCLUDE THE 6 THAT WERE THE SUBJECT OF THIS PRESS RELEASE.ACE CREDIT helps students gain access to academic credit at colleges and universities for formal courses and examinations taken in settings outside traditional higher education.[/B]

StraighterLine also offers a tuition assistance program as a benefit for companies to provide to employees interested in earning their college degree.

Media Contact:
StraighterLine Online College Courses
Josef Katz
Online College Courses - Distance Learning Courses - StraighterLine
jkatz@straighterline.com
202-507-7020

[irnbru]

My personal experience of completing six courses with Straighterline is that Straighterline has a valid structure, offers opportunity where none existed before and provides excellent customer service.

I received the email offering free places on the courses currently submitted for ACE approval. When I emailed back asking about when approval might be received, I was told clearly and concisely that it would take several months and was partly dependent on students working through these newer courses in order to provide assessment evidence, etc. I replied that I would save my time until they were ACE-approved and SL's customer service said no problem, we understand.

I agree that correct information is absolutely vital before investing time and money. On the Straighterline website, every course description clearly states whether it is approved/pending credit recommendation from ACE. There're quite a few links to ACE's website itself. To be honest, I'm not sure how much more transparent it could get.

[skyfall123]

I received the email offering free places on the courses currently submitted for ACE approval. When I emailed back asking about when approval might be received, I was told clearly and concisely that it would take several months and was partly dependent on students working through these newer courses in order to provide assessment evidence, etc. I replied that I would save my time until they were ACE-approved and SL's customer service said no problem, we understand.

Thank you for answering the question that "Straighterline Team" did not. If this explanation was posted on the website next to those 6 courses, then people would know what to expect. Simple.
Thanks again

[Yenisei]

I think Geezer's point that they shouldn't be charging money, or at least not full price, for courses that aren't yet ACE-approved is a valid one.

[perriquit]

I agree, they shouldnt be charging full price for their own benefit because ACE would have more data to make a judgement on course approval. What if ACE denies approval? it would be a major problem to Straighterline because the rely on ACE for their courses to be accepted by other colleges. Their original idea was to have colleges transcript their classes as still happens with Ft Hays but after the revolt started by students and faculty they had to come up with a plan B. If the plan B (ACE) fails then they are going to have a really hard time.

However I have to mention that 2 of their partner schools accept those credits in transfer however Excelsior and TESC do not.

[skyfall123]

However I have to mention that 2 of their partner schools accept those credits in transfer however Excelsior and TESC do not.

You can transfer the Straighterline courses into those two colleges undergrad programs and you may receive credit for them if and when you enroll and also graduate from one of their existing programs.....but if you are under the impression from reading the Straighterline press releases that you can freely transfer those Straighterline credits in and out of these institutions then you will be in for a big surprise.

Direct response from CSU Online....

I’m glad to hear that you’re interested in the IT program; we can get you started in that for our January 10th term. The program is definitely going to launch, I’m currently enrolling students for it. Once we have your official straighterline transcripts (and the official transcripts of any other schools you’ve attended) an official transfer evaluation will be conducted, showing what credit will transfer in and what you’ll have left to complete with us. However, if for whatever reason you don’t end up taking CSU-Global Campus courses, a transcript will not be issued to you showing only the straighterline credit.

Your next step is to complete the online application at CSU Global Campus. Please let me know if you have any questions on that.

CSU Online like most schools other than the "Big 3" require a minimum of 30 credits in residence. Their hourly rate for credits is a little more than $329 per credit so a degree completion from them would be around $9K-$10K.

Similarly the Granite State program also requires 30 in residency credits at
$275 per hour Tuition & Fees

Of course Straighterline knows all of this.

[StraighterLine Team]

Here at StraighterLine we have been more than a little taken aback by Geezer’s initial post. We would also like to thank those that pointed out StraighterLine’s transparency. Below is a two-part response. The first is to respond to Geezer’s initial post and the second is to provide more information about StraighterLine’s efforts to bring clarity to the credit-transfer process:

1) With respect to Geezer’s postings about the ACE recommendation status of the courses launched on September 13, for every “conditionally recommended” course we prominently indicate the following ACE required language in each course’s description:

“The American Council on Education College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT) reviewed and awarded a Conditional Recommendation to the Business Communication course on September 13, 2010. StraighterLine is currently in the process of meeting the Conditional Recommendations.

Students that started on or after September 13, 2010 and successfully complete the Business Communication course will be eligible to receive the ACE Credit Recommendation once the course conditionals have been met.”

No one outside of ACE CREDIT can make promises about a final ACE CREDIT recommendation and we have been and are very careful not to do so. That said, we have no reason whatsoever to believe that any of these courses will not receive final ACE CREDIT recommendation in an orderly fashion. Since September 13, students have been going through these new courses and are just finishing now. The effective date of that determination goes back to September 13, and any student who has successfully completed the course since we began offering it will be eligible to receive the ACE CREDIT recommendation retroactively. When asked, we always tell students that we do not know the exact date those courses will receive final recommendation.

2) We try to be as transparent as possible in the complex and irrational system of credit transfer. This is why we have partner college agreements AND ACE approval. With partner college agreements, the ambiguity about what will appear on your transcript is removed. All partner college course equivalency information can be found on StraighterLine’s website. The ACE Credit process allows acceptance of our credits at a wider range of colleges, but many colleges require additional review before awarding credit for ACE approved courses.

More recently, we have added a Credit Transfer Center on the site which we hope will be a resource for students to help better understand ways in which StraighterLine’s credits can be transferred.


What we are trying to do with our company is provide real value to students in a world of escalating tuition prices and student debt. When online courses cost very little to deliver, but colleges continue to raise the prices, there is a need for a company like StraighterLine. We will use this as an occasion to go back through our site and see if we can be more clear about the ACE status of these courses. Above all else, we want StraighterLine students to understand the process and fully realize what they come to StraighterLine to receive – college credit for the college-level courses they take with us. The absolute last thing we want for our students is any surprise when they transfer. Please contact us with questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Burck Smith
CEO and Founder

[skyfall123]

We will use this as an occasion to go back through our site and see if we can be more clear about the ACE status of these courses. Above all else, we want StraighterLine students to understand the process and fully realize what they come to StraighterLine to receive – college credit for the college-level courses they take with us. The absolute last thing we want for our students is any surprise when they transfer

I think that it is smart to review your website information. You have dozens of pages that give a lot of information....but I think if you take a really close look at all of the pages and links there is contradictory information. This can certainly be explained by a rush to put information out, a lack of fresh eyes to make sure all information is current, and an assumption that if something is stated in one place then people will find it. Unfortunately this can get out of hand quickly.

I'll give you an example: The following "Transferring Credits With ACE Credit" page may have been written 6 months ago since it claims that all Straighterline courses have been ACE reviewed and recommended for credit Transferring Credits with The ACE CREDIT Network - StraighterLine But you have another page which properly acknowledges that 9 Straighterline courses have been evaluated and recommended for ACE Credit Transfer College Credit With ACE - StraighterLine

I was an extremely big fan of Straighterline when they came out with the ACE Credit partnership and the FHSU partnership. The ability to take 4 SL courses transfer them into FHSU for a $35 application fee, get a letter grade for an equivalent FHSU course and a week later send that letter graded transcript to practically any other college across the nation knowing that the credit will be almost always be accepted was groundbreaking. If SL wants to continue to be groundbreaking then I would suggest explaining to the sales force that what will really sell are regionally accredited letter grades of Straighterline courses through partnerships which can then truly transfer everywhere. Not everyone expects that you will find other partnerships like FHSU, but I guarantee people wouldn't mind enrolling in a course or two at $150 per credit hour if it meant getting letter grades on half a dozen SL courses. As it sits the partnerships keep coming but most are mainly "We'll accept the SL courses once you enroll and complete our degree program at $250 a credit hour". Maybe have your sales staff instead focus colleges on the idea of giving graded credit like FHSU, require a course or two so that they can make money and hope that the students like the school and continue on.
Just a suggestion.

I appreciate your efforts to align the information on your website.

Edited to add: There is another reason that letter grades for SL courses is desirable. Take a student who earned 55 credits from a community college ten years ago. Let's say his GPA is 2.8 and he earned C's in English I & II, Macro and Micro. If he could retake those courses from SL and get letter grades of A through a SL partner......he could transfer the A's back to his old community college which will in turn replace the C's with A's and raise his GPA over 3.0. I understand that Straighterline is focused on the students "First Year of College" but you can achieve true product differentiation if letter grades are awarded. That would be truly groundbreaking. BTW the JCTC partnership is perfect except for the fact that students currently must apply and send transcripts from all previous colleges before becoming officially enrolled. If JCTC could streamline the enrollment process their (and your) numbers would soar.