For Profit Doesn't Guarantee Quality Education

For profit education sounds like a great idea. The educational institutions that provide the highest quality for the best price will be the most successful. I wish it were so easy and true. These companies are not as private as they claim to be. The schools are approved to provide education in certain programs by the government. Accreditation agencies verify that the schools provide the education that they say they are providing. Once the schools are accredited they can enroll students who require Federally insured student loans. The loans pay for the students' education even if the quality is barely passable. Also, once students have enrolled in the program they are stuck for the loan whether they complete the courses or not. The emphasis on getting and keeping students enrolled in these schools turns out to be the sole focus in many cases. The real goal should be providing education to students who don't want to attend traditional schools and are looking for knowledge that will help them find employment. Also, as the focus remains on enrolling more and more students the school is concerned mainly on keeping students rather than making sure they meet certain requirements of the school. All of this could come down to "caveat emptor" otherwise known as let the buyer beware. I still wouldn't be thrilled about the deception that goes on with the schools, but it wouldn't be as much of a concern if all the money was coming from the student. However, the problem is that the money for these courses comes largely from Pell grants which could be used elsewhere. It is a great business model if you are only concerned about making money and aren't looking to provide a quality educational experience. Sadly, many of the students don't find out till its to late what kind of situation they have gotten themselves into. Unfortunately, there are no simple and easy solutions. There definitely needs to be closer oversight of for profit colleges. More immediate retribution for a school that doesn't provide what is promised would also help. Schools are supposed to educate individuals to improve their lives and not to be deeper in debt. Students are supposed to be lifted up and not left with a bad taste in their mouths. Their mouths should instead need to be filled with the flavor of hope and an improved future.

The Invisible Parade

For approximately ten years I announced the Strawberry Festival in Garden Grove. Many groups were entertaining especially The Compton Sounders, a synchronized drum group, but no parade was as memorable as the invisible parade. No parade goes just as planned. Someone or some creature gets sick. A local politician is required to remain in an extended political session or a vehicle breaks down. Whatever the reason, there ends up being a variety of breaks throughout the parade. One year instead of continually announcing the events being held throughout the day and trying to find other topics to discuss; I instead created the invisible parade. The invisible parade had monkeys riding on the backs of elephants. The creature did flips and landed into a perfect handstand. There was a 300 piece band playing in unison and criss-crossing as they marched. Cheerleaders were leaping into pyramids and staying in form as they marched through the parade. What is my point? My point is that my best experience came from my head. This creation didn't cost anything, involve any clean up, or preparation. I have taken this philosophy into my life with my daughter. She and I make plans, but if they change or are cancelled we know we can always use our imagination. We know we won't be let down if we make up special days in our head because if we are bored we can just change the mental picture. The fun is always available to us thanks to the invisible parade!

Watch out blog world!

Last year I wrote one blog post and this year this will be my first. This does not make me a prolific blogger. I found that having your blog called Erratic Thoughts leads to a very unfocused blog and blog experience. This is why I changed my blog title to Modern Philosophy in a Virtual World. I have twelve followers; eleven if you recognize the fact that Paul Swendson is not two people. It would be nice if one of my blog readers could describe my blog in a sentence or two so others could have their interests piqued and become regular readers. What is most important is that I write about topics that pique my interest so that whether I gain readership or not; it is an enjoyable and informative experience for me. Here's to the future. Thoughts on the politics of education, fatherhood, sports, and how they all relate to the human experience are on the horizon. Look out virtual world, here I come!