Is Strighterline Ripping Unsuspecting Students Off?

[StraighterLine Team]

We will definitely review the site for outdated information, though I think that the most visited pages are fairly clear. To your second point, what you ask for seems entirely logical. One would think that any college that is accredited by the same entity should recognize another college's credits. However, that's not how the system works. Most colleges not only don't want you to transfer out, but also don't want you to know that you can receive the same courses from StraighterLine at a fraction of the price (to both students and taxpayers). All of StraighterLine's partner colleges are particularly friendly toward transfer students. Fort Hays has been the most transfer-friendly. However, getting colleges to not only award credit directly for our courses, but to make those courses transferable without staying at the college of enrollment, is really out of our hands. If you want to do something about this, you can:

1) Strongly suggest to local colleges, local governments and the press that college can be much cheaper if the local colleges willingly and publicly accept credit from places like StraighterLine.
2) Post information to other students about which colleges are helpful and which aren't.
3) Attend those colleges that are the most helpful.
4) Spread the word about places like StraighterLine.

Thanks again for all your help and for paying close attention to what we do! It's nice to have such customers.

Sincerely,

Burck Smith
CEO and Founder

[skyfall123]

All of StraighterLine's partner colleges are particularly friendly toward transfer students. Fort Hays has been the most transfer-friendly. However, getting colleges to not only award credit directly for our courses, but to make those courses transferable without staying at the college of enrollment, is really out of our hands.

Let's assume from here on out, that our common goal is to try and expand the number of colleges that would give graded credit for SL courses and allow the fluid transfer of courses in and out of their institutions with the least amount of restrictions. Let's also keep in mind that the tough questioning lately is because our goal on this forum goes beyond simply earning college credit to helping students actually completing degrees. While others may talk or dream about it, the students here are actually doing it...from beginning to end, all 120 credits....most while holding down full time jobs, raising families, etc...so we are extremely sensitive about the transferability of credit.

Let's also assume that the SL CEO doesn't mind if others question parts of his business strategy, since it provides him with a different perspective (plus we have a lot of people on this forum completing business degrees who might find this interesting).

So here goes...again...are you targeting the right partnerships?

I understand that FHSU is unique in that it will allow the fluid transfer of graded SL credit (of 4 courses) in and out of its institution.....and most other partner colleges will allow SL courses in as ungraded transfer credit, but generally want you to complete an undergrad degree and finish the final 30 credits with them. I also understand that "First year of college for XXX amount of dollars" is part of the SL brand.

So assuming all of that, why is SL concentrating primarily on 4 year colleges that typically require 30 resident credits to complete their degree for their partnerships? The institutions that are most likely to be open to giving graded credit and the fluid movement of transfer credit in and out of their institutions are the 2 year community colleges, particularly those that are military friendly (accepting of ACE Credit, CLEP, DSST, etc...) like Clovis Community College, Cochise College, etc...and community colleges typically require that only 15 credits are earned in-house toward their degree. So by concentrating on CC's who are more likely to give graded credit and don't mind students transferring in and out, you target institutions that are closer to first year course offerings and your "First Year of College for XXX" message. Is your sales staff working hard enough to create the RIGHT partnerships?

[irnbru]

This is a technical point.

If Excelsior, TESC and COSC are already partner colleges and directly accept varying courses from Straighterline (SL), what is the point of putting the courses through a given 2 year college.

By this I mean that, during SL's early days, before Excelsior and TESC directly accepted credit, FHSU was the mechanic required to transfer in the credit. Why would EC, TESC or COSC accept a grade for a course which has been transcribed at another educational centre if the Big 3 now take them directly? If anything, these changes are progress (in my situation and for my requirements, at least).

As an EC student, I wouldn't expect a CLEP or DSST to be graded at another college then transferred in - EC require the original transcript. The only other option I can imagine is some sort of equivalency-swap/credit bank combination whereby SL/CLEP/DSST could be 'washed' through another college. This is not something that necessarily sits well with me, although we all have to work with the policies available to us.

Hope this makes sense.

[skyfall123]

If Excelsior, TESC and COSC are already partner colleges and directly accept varying courses from Straighterline (SL), what is the point of putting the courses through a given 2 year college.

The "Big 3" accept only ACE Accredited SL courses (please correct me if I'm wrong). When SL started out, students of the Big 3 would have SL send the confirmation to ACE and then have ACE send it to the Big 3. Since the Big 3 received enough of these requests through ACE they ended up saying "OK students we are getting a lot of SL courses coming through on ACE transcripts, we understand which SL courses are ACE approved, if you send the transcripts form SL to us, then we will grant the credit." That's the only thing that has changed.

What is the advantage of graded credit over non-graded credit.?
a) it transfers anywhere should a student change course
b) 4 A's on a transcript from a RA school generally carries more punch than non-graded credit.
c) 4 A's could raise your GP significantly enough to qualify you for Grad school scholarships that require a cumulative undergrad GPA of 3.0 or more.

[irnbru]

EC accept the results direct from SL according to my last few chats with SL. I think that's the point of being a partner college.

Ah right, see what you mean. Well, yes; ACE-accredited courses are accepted direct from SL. That's what ACE is for, though - to review and make credit recommendations.

Again, I agree that graded courses are useful. As the SL team poster has stated, this is down to individual college policy, just as CLEPs and DSSTs. The solution suggested of directing SL to target colleges to apply grades so that students can wash credits through just doesn't seem quite right given that the colleges we are mostly interested in (Big 3) are taking them directly.

edit: Just to clarify; I'm not knocking it as an idea, more that it's probably not a reasonable primary thrust for the b2b liaison front of SL. If the mechanic was extant, I'm as keen as the next independent student to dig through policies to get satisfaction. I'd much rather see SL continue its current expansion with a vision of being a course-based alternative to CLEPs and DSSTs on a global scale.

[skyfall123]

I'd much rather see SL continue its current expansion with a vision of being a course-based alternative to CLEPs and DSSTs on a global scale.

Colleges that accept regionally accredited graded credit 7000

Colleges that accept CLEP credit 2900 CLEP College Search

Partner Colleges that accept some, many or all of Straighterline's 9 ACE Accredited courses 22

Colleges that currently accept Straighterlines Business Communication, Calculus I, Chemistry I w/and w/out lab, Biology w/ and w/out lab 2

To me the Global vision would be to obtain partnerships from additional schools that grant regionally accredited graded credits....and I wouldn't put Straighterline in the same league as CLEP....but hey that's just me. The great thing about this life is that we can agree to disagree.

and although I was really trying to not break the scab on an old would...my original post was questioning whether those 6 courses that can currently only earn credit at 2 institutions, should currently be promoted and sold next to and for the same price as the 4 courses that can be sent to FHSU for $35 and turned into regionally accredited college credit which could then be sent to the other 7000 colleges that would readily accept them. If all of Straighterline courses could be turned into graded credit then my questions would go away.... I was and still am attempting to find common ground and move forward.

[JBjunior]

The "Big 3" accept only ACE Accredited SL courses (please correct me if I'm wrong). When SL started out, students of the Big 3 would have SL send the confirmation to ACE and then have ACE send it to the Big 3. Since the Big 3 received enough of these requests through ACE they ended up saying "OK students we are getting a lot of SL courses coming through on ACE transcripts, we understand which SL courses are ACE approved, if you send the transcripts form SL to us, then we will grant the credit." That's the only thing that has changed.

What is the advantage of graded credit over non-graded credit.?
a) it transfers anywhere should a student change course
b) 4 A's on a transcript from a RA school generally carries more punch than non-graded credit.
c) 4 A's could raise your GP significantly enough to qualify you for Grad school scholarships that require a cumulative undergrad GPA of 3.0 or more.

When SL started out they weren't ACE at all and they had partner colleges in place. I chose FHSU to transfer my credits through to TESC. Then once they became ACE approved you had the option. I still chose FHSU because I wanted the letter grade.

[skyfall123]

We will definitely review the site for outdated information, though I think that the most visited pages are fairly clear.

No offense again...but having correct information on some pages and incorrect information on others is not a responsible approach for any business to take....and the fact that a CEO accepts this low standard is especially disturbing. You are either making every effort to explain to potential students which courses are accepted by partner colleges or your not. Here is your recent press release that states that all 15 SL courses (including the 6 that aren't currently accepted by TESC) are accepted by TESC Thomas Edison State College Partners to provide additional flexible, high-quality, collegiate learning opportunities to self-directed adults - StraighterLine

Here is your current entry page to the TESC partnership stating that all SL courses (including the 6 that aren't) are accepted by TESC. Thomas Edison State College A Partner College - StraighterLine

Transfer Credit from StraighterLine College Courses to Thomas Edison State College where all of StraighterLine’s college-level courses transfer for full credit. Now if a potential student stops reading right there and takes your word for it (after reading the press release and the TESC partnership page with the statement above) have you really provided transparency? In my opinion no.

What about Excelsior? According to Straighterline Excelsior College a Partner College - StraighterLine Excelsior College accepts all of StraighterLine’s college-level courses for full credit. Does Excelsior accept all of Straighterline's College level courses? No. Is this transparent? In my opinion, no.

[irnbru]

...and I wouldn't put Straighterline in the same league as CLEP....but hey that's just me. The great thing about this life is that we can agree to disagree.
...

Heh, global use is a suggested goal, and don't forget the great progress made by SL - they've produced more options than say, UExcel did during their respective implementation and expansion. It's a bit like someone graduating with a bachelor's and stating that they like education so one day hope to work toward a professorship, only for someone to turn around and tell them they aren't a professor as they have a bachelor's degree; professor's have more qualifications. That graduate probably already knew that, I'd guess.

Regarding this league business, SL do several things which put their courses on an equal or greater pegging, e.g. the courses are taken as equivalent alternatives to sitting a CLEP/DSST. A student can get credit, that's the main point and is brilliant. Not all courses, but there is clearly work being done to expand the options.

SL offer the two accountancy courses which satisfy managerial and financial accounting (those are the correct names?) which was a bit of a hole in the market before. If SL can continue to identify and expand courses like this, they are going to be massively useful for distance learning students like ourselves. The science courses with labs, currently submitted to ACE for approval is a good example of identifying and providing for customer needs.

Finally, 'global' means geographically as well as in terms of a synonym for 'popularity'. Some of us have to travel across international borders flying/train/driving 600 miles just to get to a CLEP centre. SL provides an opportunity which is a massive relief in the effective pursuit of credit. The prices are great too, compared to paying $800 at EC for a DL course.

I understand you would prefer to receive grades for the courses, I think probably most people would. That's up to the colleges. Using FHSU to transcribe a grade to transfer elsewhere was a definite loophole of sorts before. What does your college say about giving grades for SL courses?

edit: I'm a bit funny about supporting organisations, however, after having had such an overwhelmingly positive experience with SL for the reasons above and more, I guess a bit of consumer feedback is only appropriate.

[skyfall123]

Regarding this league business, SL do several things which put their courses on an equal or greater pegging, e.g. the courses are taken as equivalent alternatives to sitting a CLEP/DSST.

Exactly four of their courses (the ones that can be sent to FHSU and transferred anywhere) are an equal or better option than CLEP. 5 SL course offerings (the ACE Approved), are accepted at 22 partner colleges vs. CLEP's which are accepted at 2900 colleges, and 6 SL course offerings currently being touted as college credit are accepted at 2 colleges as opposed to CLEP credit which are accepted at 2900 colleges.

A student can get credit, that's the main point and is brilliant.

That's not the main point. That's the main point that SL states. But credit that cannot be used it worthless. Getting credit that can transfer into an affordable degree program that meets your objectives is what counts.

Not all courses, but there is clearly work being done to expand the options.

While I appreciate your "Let's give an A for effort" sentiment...I don't believe that charging up to $399 per course for 6 new offerings that can transfer into only 2 colleges is the proper reward for "work being done to expand options".

don't forget the great progress made by SL - they've produced more options than say, UExcel did during their respective implementation and expansion.

UExcel didn't charge students until their exams were officially awarded credit by ACE. UExcel currently offers 7 courses worth 28 college credits. UExcel - Exams
EXcel exams are transcripted by Excelsior which is a regionally accredited college, which assures acceptance by most if not all of the 7000 colleges in the US.

Again SL currently has 4 courses (when transcipted through FHSU) that can be potentially accepted by 7000 colleges, 5 courses that are currently accepted by 22 partner colleges, and 6 new courses which are accepted by 2 colleges if you complete degrees from them.