$10,000 College Degree is feasible so says Perry and his education commissioner...

[kjackson227]

but it seems like this idea would be a waste of time and money in my opinion. Employers will avoid these applicants like the plague, or am I missing something? So, why is Tricky Slick Rick so concerned about education all of a sudden. I smell a rat...

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/headlines/20110427-texas-higher-education-commissioner-says-idea-of-10000-college-degree-is-entirely-feasible.ece

[sonias]

1. Privatization of higher education

You know how charter schools are supposed to be so much better than public schools right? At least that's the right wing pitch.

So this is headed in the same direction - "home schooling" for university diplomas with on-line courses taught primarily by the right wing fundies who are drooling at the mouth to get some public money for offering these diploma mills.

I can't find the link right now about the online diploma idea but Rick O’Donnell, the recently fired consultant at the University of Texas, was one of the fundies pushing the idea. He's labeled as a reformer and the regent who hired him is also of the same mindset. Perry is very supportive of their ideas. Supposedly this "reform" agenda is already being implemented at A&M.

They got some major pushback at UT though.

Long story. Some of the follow up here:


Texas Tribune 4/27/11:
After Rick O'Donnell, What Now for Texas Higher Ed?

:kick:

[Ilsa]

3. Perry is pulling Texas A&M away from being a Tier 1 research university.

He doesn't give a shit about the value of research, just how much money is spent on education.

It's going to get worse for poorer students. And getting an advanced degree will be more difficult to finance. It's the most economically regressive situation I've ever heard of.

[sonias]

7. A&M Alumni Organize Against Higher Ed Proposals

Finally some pushback from the A&M Alumni too!

Texas Tribune 5/4/11
A&M Alumni Organize Against Higher Ed Proposals

A group of prominent Texas A&M University alumni have signed a letter opposing the controversial "breakthrough solutions" proposed by the Texas Public Policy Foundation and encouraged by the state's Aggie-in-Chief, Gov. Rick Perry.

(snip)

This new coalition of Aggies, calling themselves the Alliance for Texas A&M University, is made up of 22 individuals who have each been deemed a "distinguished alumnus" by the university's alumni organization. They say that their concerns stem from "the extraordinary level of political intervention" in pushing the reforms, several of which they believe "will do serious damage."

Last week, at an event hosted by TPPF, A&M professor and speaker of the faculty senate Robert Strawser also spoke out against the push for the reforms, particularly a proposal to separate teaching and research budgets. "I think teaching and research are inseparable," he said. Throughout the ongoing controversy, TPPF spokespeople have made the case that such a move would encourage excellence in both teaching and research.

(snip)
Strawser noted that his institution had been relatively quiet in that debate. "We have not heard as much from A&M, at least not publicly," he said. But with his public comments and the formation of this new alumni group, that appears to be changing.

:kick:

[kjackson227]

4. Hadn't been online in a few days, so I missed your reply...

but, I knew something was up because Slick Rick is in agreement with it... "Diploma Mills" is the right name for this mess. Good for UT in getting rid of O'Donnell. Slick Rick has cronies EVERYWHERE. I knew there was controversy between Rick's cronies and A&M awhile back, but I didn't know about UT. Am I wrong in thinking that A&M is Perry country? Well, like one of the UT reps said, and I'm paraphrasing... Perry and his cronies will be out of their jobs in 4-6 years.

:hi:

[sonias]

6. Yes Slick Rick is an Aggie

So he's taken to experimenting with his alma mater first.

It's hard to imagine a Perry free Texas Lege since he's so firmly entrenched, but I look forward to the day too.

:hi:

[plumbob]

2. After all, a $10,000 degree can be bought now through a diploma mill.

Good Lord! Where do they shop??!! You can get a diploma mill diploma WAYYYYYYYYYYY cheaper than that!

We had an assistant superintendent a few years ago with a fake PhD from "Columbus University." Instead of criminally prosecuting him, the local board paid him off to leave, where he promptly launched his own mill online.

Get your desired college, university cheap online degree delivered in just 5 days for $599, with FREE Shipping via DHL by clicking here.
http://www.originaldegrees.com/

See? Five days, 600 bucks, delivery by DHL for those really in a hurry!

http://www.originaldegrees.com/

Ten Grand is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too much for a degree!!!

[kjackson227]

5. How do these so-called universities stay in business, anyway???

Do companies even check for accreditations anymore???