October 16, 2015
Jeffrey S. Solochek, Times Staff Writer
Over the past several months, he's talked with Pasco school district officials about getting juniors and seniors from nearby Sunlake High School to participate in Rasmussen's early honors program. The teens would take one college course per quarter at no charge, with the district covering the instructional materials costs.
Knobl envisioned the process working withing Florida's dual enrollment model. That's where students substitute state college or university courses for high school classes, free of charge to the students.
There's a sticking point, though, and it's in state law. For-profit colleges that are not accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools are not eligible to participate in dual enrollment.
"We're handcuffing parents and kids," said Knobl, who's begun lobbying state Sen. John Legg to rewrite the rules.
Legg, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, said for-profits have floated this idea for the past couple of years, primarily in the Florida House. He did not discount the concept, but said he suspected if dual enrollment were to expand, the state's independent non-profit schools would be next in line to participate.
St. Leo University, also in Pasco County, has asked to get into the system as well, he said. The for-profits, some of which have been blasted for predatory admission and lending practices, would be the last layer, he said.
"I don't see it happening this year," Legg said. "I can't say it will never happen."
Knobl remained hopeful that his efforts will pay off at some point, saying the real benefactors will be the students who otherwise might not be able to get to college.
Direct link to article: http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/for-profit-college-seeks-access-to-florida-dual-enrollment-program/2250005
[Last modified: Friday, October 16, 2015 11:25am]
APSCU Press Release: APSCU Statement on Obama Administration Community College Announcement
09 Sep 2015 /By APSCU Communications
Washington, D.C., September 9, 2015—APSCU president and CEO Steve Gunderson released the following statement today:
“Today’s announcement by the Administration is just the latest extension of its multiyear effort against private sector participation in the delivery of higher education. While pushing down private sector institutions, the Administration continues to lift up the concept of free community college as the only solution for new traditional students. In doing so, they continue to ignore the millions of students who depend upon alternative education options created around career education.
“The reality is that new traditional students want accelerated, focused programs that move them from the classroom to their new careers as quickly as possible. The promise of ‘free community college for all’ papers over the reality that enacting such a program would come with an astronomical price tag for taxpayers.
“Instead of the Administration picking winners and losers based on politics instead of outcomes, they should work with Congress to lift up the diversity of America’s higher education system and advance policies that provide access and opportunity for all students.”
Direct link to release: http://www.highereducationforall.com/apscu-statement-on-obama-administration-community-college-announcement/#.VfBXo4lzOpq
“Today’s announcement by the Administration is just the latest extension of its multiyear effort against private sector participation in the delivery of higher education. While pushing down private sector institutions, the Administration continues to lift up the concept of free community college as the only solution for new traditional students. In doing so, they continue to ignore the millions of students who depend upon alternative education options created around career education.
“The reality is that new traditional students want accelerated, focused programs that move them from the classroom to their new careers as quickly as possible. The promise of ‘free community college for all’ papers over the reality that enacting such a program would come with an astronomical price tag for taxpayers.
“Instead of the Administration picking winners and losers based on politics instead of outcomes, they should work with Congress to lift up the diversity of America’s higher education system and advance policies that provide access and opportunity for all students.”
Direct link to release: http://www.highereducationforall.com/apscu-statement-on-obama-administration-community-college-announcement/#.VfBXo4lzOpq
APSCU: Private Sector Institutions Fill Critical Job Gaps in Cyber Security and IT
18 Aug 2015 /By APSCU Communications
With recent headlines on high-profile security breaches at
the highest levels of government and business, it is not surprising that
demand for trained cyber security professionals is growing. As a
result, employers are struggling to find qualified people to fill vacant
information technology and security positions. Private sector
institutions are responding to this demand, as they play an outsize role
in educating America’s IT and cyber security professionals and
providing employers with job-ready employees.
As has been stated before, private sector institutions prepare students for jobs in a range of high-demand fields, thus strengthening the education of the 21st century American workforce. Additionally, when it comes to high-demand professions, graduates see significant earnings gains. For information technology and cyber security, the contributions of the private sector are particularly significant.
Given their relative representation in higher education, private sector institutions graduate high numbers of students with job-ready credentials in computer science. Private sector institutions awarded approximately 16 percent of all higher education degrees/certificates completed in 2012-13, while 24 percent of students who received degrees/certificates in Computer and Information/Support Services attended private sector institutions.
Private sector institutions’ disproportionate role in educating these students is especially important when considering a recent report from Burning Glass, which said, “Because cybersecurity jobs require years of training and relevant experience, skills gaps cannot easily be resolved though short-term solutions. Employers and training providers must work together to cultivate a talent pipeline for these critical roles.”
As businesses looks to meet their cyber and IT employment needs, private sector institutions are carrying more than their weight in preparing qualified industry professionals. After all, this is the nature of the private sector—responding to the needs of employers and students by providing valuable career-oriented educations that fill critical skills gaps.
As has been stated before, private sector institutions prepare students for jobs in a range of high-demand fields, thus strengthening the education of the 21st century American workforce. Additionally, when it comes to high-demand professions, graduates see significant earnings gains. For information technology and cyber security, the contributions of the private sector are particularly significant.
Given their relative representation in higher education, private sector institutions graduate high numbers of students with job-ready credentials in computer science. Private sector institutions awarded approximately 16 percent of all higher education degrees/certificates completed in 2012-13, while 24 percent of students who received degrees/certificates in Computer and Information/Support Services attended private sector institutions.
Private sector institutions’ disproportionate role in educating these students is especially important when considering a recent report from Burning Glass, which said, “Because cybersecurity jobs require years of training and relevant experience, skills gaps cannot easily be resolved though short-term solutions. Employers and training providers must work together to cultivate a talent pipeline for these critical roles.”
As businesses looks to meet their cyber and IT employment needs, private sector institutions are carrying more than their weight in preparing qualified industry professionals. After all, this is the nature of the private sector—responding to the needs of employers and students by providing valuable career-oriented educations that fill critical skills gaps.
APSCU: Association to Focus on Postsecondary Career Education
Washington, D.C., July 14, 2015—The Association of Private Sector
Colleges and Universities announced today plans to focus its collective
work on postsecondary education with career skills, in response to the
essential need to empower 55 million new workers with the skills by
2020.
The Association’s Board of Directors, in a meeting this week, directed the creation of a new organizational mission that emphasizes postsecondary career education.
Steve Gunderson, president and CEO said, “The reality is that over time, just as the students served by our institutions have diversified, our membership has diversified. Now is the time for us to act with an even greater focus on the importance of career education. Our organization’s mission, purpose, and structure must reflect the diversity of our members, the students they serve, and the employers that hire our graduates.”
“The reality is that some private sector institutions are becoming more closely aligned with traditional education programming and online services for students. Our Association recognizes that we’ll never create a new middle class until we adequately equip millions of Americans with in-demand career skills,” Gunderson added.
Direct link to article: http://apscu.org/news-and-media/press-releases/association-to-focus-on-career-edu.cfm
The Association’s Board of Directors, in a meeting this week, directed the creation of a new organizational mission that emphasizes postsecondary career education.
Steve Gunderson, president and CEO said, “The reality is that over time, just as the students served by our institutions have diversified, our membership has diversified. Now is the time for us to act with an even greater focus on the importance of career education. Our organization’s mission, purpose, and structure must reflect the diversity of our members, the students they serve, and the employers that hire our graduates.”
“The reality is that some private sector institutions are becoming more closely aligned with traditional education programming and online services for students. Our Association recognizes that we’ll never create a new middle class until we adequately equip millions of Americans with in-demand career skills,” Gunderson added.
Direct link to article: http://apscu.org/news-and-media/press-releases/association-to-focus-on-career-edu.cfm
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