As a quick overview,
for-profit education generally refers to institutions in the academe operating
privately in a profit-seeking manner. There are currently many issues and
controversies about these institutions’ operational motives although they have
been thought to increase efficiency (Kozol, 2005). The issue about Kaplan
University’s service to the students will be explored. Does being a for-profit
educational institution really affect the quality and efficiency of learning?
Are there ways to change the slightly damaged reputation of for-profit
educational institutions? These questions show that although there are
advantages and disadvantages in being a for-profit educational institution, the
advantages surpass the disadvantages.
Perhaps the reason why
for-profit educational institutions continue to multiply is because there are a
couple of benefits that could come along with it. Some of these institutions
are even optimized to serve people living in poverty (Alemu, 2010). In some
states and countries, there are over 20 percent of the overall students who are
enrolled in for-profit universities (World Bank, 2003). This could be
considered as a significant ratio between for-profit and public higher
education institutions already.
One of the most formidable
advantages that a for-profit education may offer is its education quality.
Although continuous expansion of these institutions is inevitable, there are
governing bodies in each state that regulates every institution’s standard.
This could have significant
effects in the reputation and quality of education. These two should never be
compromised by provisions for expansion and vice versa (Alemu, 2010). There are
also economic and educational policies that facilitate the current expansions
and quality of education of for-profit educations. Even though for-profit
educational institutions can be considered as a major part of the private
sector, there are still checks and balances operations conducted by the
government to facilitate standardizations.
Also according to Altbach,
Berdahl, & Gumport (2005), “our nation is deeply committed to safeguarding
academic freedom, which is of transcendent value to all of us and not merely to
the teachers concerned. That freedom is therefore a special concern of the
First Amendment, which does not tolerate laws that cast a pall of orthodoxy
over the classroom” (p. 92). So, every
policy and law will definitely have an impact in the US’ goal for a highly
regulated education system.
Kaplan’s edge as a
for-profit educational institution is its use of social media tools and
technology in teaching their students (Blumenstyk, 2009). This could be
considered as a good form of reinforcement for students. The involvement of the
government with these for-profit institutions should however be done in
moderation because excessive government involvement especially in higher
education activities can potentially discourage their standardized functioning
(Mwiria, 2003).
Perhaps the most discouraging thing about for-profit
educational institutions is the fact that they are mainly motivated by monetary
returns. Because of this, the probability that for-profit education
institutions will make their way in rural and slum areas is unlikely. It is
obvious that they cannot get the same amount of money from rural and slum areas
than in urban and elite areas.
Fortunately, despite these
disadvantages, the government authorities still try to encourage the
establishment of these institutions even if the returns for them will not be so
promising at all. Some of the possible interventions that could be done by the
government include the provision of specific assistances like free land and tax
exemptions. One of the most compelling things that Kaplan University failed to
address is their traditional teaching methods that aired negative reputation
ratings among their students.
Yes, they are making use of
advanced technologies and social media as a reinforcement method for teaching
but they are still using some of the oldest principles in teaching. Also, their
implementation of certain policies that are beneficial only for older students
may also have a negative impact on their other students especially the ones who
are still in their freshman year (Blumenstyk, 2009).
In Kaplan University’s case,
there are still possible ways by which they could regain their reputation as an
institution that prioritizes students rather than profit. This could be done by
focusing a larger portion of their attention in things like grants and most importantly,
quality of education. In fact, these two things could prove as the best ways
they could help their students reach success without having to intervene on
their private and personal lives. Another good recommendation for Kaplan
University may be to make their services available to the poor. This would
break the common assumption that private for-profit educational institutions
only serve rich and elite citizens and not the poor (Blumenstyk, 2009).
The proliferation of
for-profit educational institutions is not a negative thing, as this paper
discussed. One may worry about the fact that for-profit educational
institutions can be mainly motivated by monetary returns, in detriment of
quality learning. Nevertheless, the advantages surpass that, as this blog
shows. Further research about this topic suggests that several for-profit
institutions are more capable of providing a higher level of education than
government regulated institutions.
Frayter, K. (2011). For-Profit Schools Look Abroad for Growth. CNBC. Accessed October
2011.
Kozol, J. (2005). The
Shame of the Nation. Preparing Minds for Markets and others. Three
Rivers Press.
Alemu, D. (2010). Expansion
vs, Quality: Emerging Issues of For-profit Private Higher
Education Institutions in Ethiopia. International Review of Education. Springer.
World Bank. 2003. Higher
Education Development for Ethiopia: Pursuing the Vision.
Washington, DC: The World Bank.
Mwiria, K. 2003. University Governance and University-State
Relations. In: African Higher
Education: An International Reference Handbook, ed.
by Damtew Teferra and Philip Altbach. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University
Press.
Tooley, J. (2007). Could for-profit
private education benefit the poor? Some a priori
considerations
arising from case study research. UK:
Journal of Education Policy..
Blumenstyk, G. (2009). Kaplan Univerity’s Question: Do Colleges Serve Today’s Students.
The
Chronicle of Higher Education. Accessed October 2011.Retrieved fromhttp://chronicle.com/article/Kaplan-Us-Question-Do/46956/.
Altbach, P.G.,
Berdahl, R.O., &Gumport, P.J. (Eds.). (2005). American higher education in the
Twenty-first
centuries: Social, political, and economic challenges. Baltimore, MD: Johns
Hopkins University Press.
This was a very interesting read, as the tainted reputation of for-profit schools definitely holds inaccuracies, and most audiences do not have the inclination to look deeper into the subject, and often take the issue at face value. However, I was surprised that there was no mention of the fact that so much of our financial aid funds are going into the pockets of these for-profit executives, while us students are left with thousands of dollars of debt. I am sure there is a counter argument for the financial aid issue, and I would be interested in hearing it. Great read!! Thanks for bringing up this issue!
ReplyDeleteI would be interested in learning more about the experiences of students who attend for profit colleges and universities after graduation. What types of careers do they pursue? Do they feel prepared for the job market? Are they able to repay their loans? I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with for-profit institutions being driven by monetary rewards. After all, we do live in a capitalistic society. For profit colleges and universities will be driven out of the market if they do not build a reputation for a quality product.
ReplyDelete-Alyssa O'Keeffe
Thank you for bringing up a few of the issues surrounding for-profit institutions. As a former employee at the largest for-profit art school in the country, this topic always hits home for me. The institution that I worked for had a "no barriers" admissions policy, which meant that anyone with a high school diploma or the equivalent could attend without so much as a portfolio review. While I encountered residents and student staff members who were fiercely talented and dedicated to their craft, I also witnessed many students who had minimal artistic talent who would rarely survive in a non-profit art college for long.
ReplyDeleteThe for-profit debate leaves me to wonder, would these institutions be growing at such a rapid rate if students as consumers were dissatisfied?
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A.D.Beirne