Is Strighterline Ripping Unsuspecting Students Off?

[irnbru]

Meh, I get that you think SL are misrepresenting some of their courses. I strongly disagree for the all reasons given previously, not least that it's an extremely blind student who can actually sign up for courses while ignoring the clear status communciated by SL as to whether any particular course is currently ACE-approved or checks whether their own college accepts a course for credit. Not trying to be too picky, but of those 2900 colleges who accept CLEP credit, not all accept all CLEPs for credit. It comes down to individual college policy. And SL have gone to some lengths to communicate on their website how partner colleges directly take which of their courses.

The ACE-accreditation also opens the number of colleges who may accept SL courses for credit far beyond the 22 direct partner colleges.

I've done six ACE-accredited courses through SL and they were a godsend. The FHSU mechanic for grades was interesting but I remember contacting Potomac college regarding transcribing credits and when they realised I was just looking to pay an application to use their institution to transcribe credit they cooled off massively. This was before the initial SL courses were ACE-approved.

I think the point of niche courses is also worth repeating to highlight the responsiveness of SL. The complementary accounting course is great for those students who need it as there isn't an equivalent CLEP. Developing courses with labs is strong evidence of the progressive understanding of student needs SL has.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on our interpretations of what SL can and states it can offer. I don't think I have anything more to add regarding grades and whatnot. Thanks very much for taking the time to express your experiences and expectations and wish you all the best. Sharing information is what we all need here and hopefully this thread has gone some way to achieving that.

[skyfall123]

I get that you think SL are misrepresenting some of their courses

Yes. That was my original point. I don't think they should promote and charge full price for their 6 new offerings (alongside their ACE approved offerings) until they are actually ACE approved.

The complementary accounting course is great for those students who need it as there isn't an equivalent CLEP.

I couldn't agree more. I think that the Managerial Accounting course that SL offers, which can be transcripted through FHSU, is an outstanding value that trumps anything else currently being offered by anyone, anywhere....and I will continue to recommend it regardless of what has been said thus far. The Financial Accounting, Macro and Micro can also be excellent alternatives when transcripted through FHSU, if a student is willing to put in the time and can benefit from graded credit.

[burbuja0512]

LOL.. I previously had no interest in Straighterline, but have been following this thread and decided to check it out for myself.

I am actually really glad that this discussion encouraged me to review their site. While I am not sure that I would be interested (I can probably CLEP out of topics easier and for less $$), I think that it looks like a great idea for my 15 year old homeschooler.

I just called in to ask a few questions and the rep who answered my call was very nice and I didn't think that they were misrepresenting themselves either on the site or on the phone. The $99 bucks a month is a pretty good deal considering that it will save me teaching time and I also spend a fair amount of money on study materials for each topic we cover, so all and all it works out to be a pretty fair deal. I also probably won't enroll him in TESC for at least a year and they said that they will keep his record to be transferred over at that time, even if he's not a currently paying subscriber at that time.

[skyfall123]

I am actually really glad that this discussion encouraged me to review their site. While I am not sure that I would be interested (I can probably CLEP out of topics easier and for less $$), I think that it looks like a great idea for my 15 year old homeschooler.

Excellent. That is what threads like this can achieve. Take what you can use and leave the rest. Either way it makes you a wiser consumer.

[StraighterLine Team]

We wanted to share a quick update with the group regarding the courses we added a couple of months ago. The additional courses have now all received the ACE CREDIT recommendation. More details can be found in this press release.

Courses Receive the American Council of Education (ACE) Recommendation - StraighterLine

Hope this helps and please let us know if you have additional questions.

[skyfall123]

Excellent news! Congratulations! This opens up more options for anyone who can use ACE Credits toward their degree.

[burbuja0512]

We wanted to share a quick update with the group regarding the courses we added a couple of months ago. The additional courses have now all received the ACE CREDIT recommendation. More details can be found in this press release.

Courses Receive the American Council of Education (ACE) Recommendation - StraighterLine

Hope this helps and please let us know if you have additional questions.

Yeah!! This is so good to hear. Thank you very much for keeping us posted!!

[Sunshine]

We wanted to share a quick update with the group regarding the courses we added a couple of months ago. The additional courses have now all received the ACE CREDIT recommendation. More details can be found in this press release.

Courses Receive the American Council of Education (ACE) Recommendation - StraighterLine

Hope this helps and please let us know if you have additional questions.

Great news- please keep us updated as more partner colleges announce their policy for the new courses. Thanks!