Straighterline New Proctor Policy Change

[Publius]

I don't get why you/we should consider anything that SL has to say.
They have shown underhanded tactics to manipulate the system to their advantage for profit, and continue to prove they are not interested doing the right thing.
So why should it be allowed, that they get any concessions in their favor?

Because at the end of the day, SL can still help people earn college credit faster and cheaper then most places out there. And that, helping people, is what we're all about. Cause a company uses "underhand tactics" doesn't mean students can't still benefit from them. Because they're causing unnecessary hassle, also doesn't mean we shouldn't consider them at all. I'm not happy with SL, trust me. I'd recommend alternatives to SL any day, anytime. But I also recommend SL compared to a $600+, 12 week, college course if their school accepts SL's courses.

[Pjbarney]

Just in case anyone is interested in a newbie's take on all of this, here are my thoughts. I only started on this degree trek just before SL announced the new policy, and although I'm not as angry as some of you, I am really disappointed. I just received my TESC prior credit eval this week and am still planning/researching my degree plan and SL seemed like a good way for me to start off and get used to a study pattern. I have had to change things around so I will be signing up for the SL courses I want, this week, lump payment, before Nov. 1. I can only hope SL honors the 'no proctor for courses paid for by Nov. 1' statement.

As far as the Wiki and my researching everything, I do appreciate the efforts to provide different sides, SL's as well as info from the experienced members here. I think everyone deserves a voice in presenting intentions, info and opinions, and when all sides are given that opportunity it lends more credibilty to the information as a whole.

I was not aware of Proctor U, before this announcement. After doing more research on this company and their methods, I will not be going this route. Although TESC uses their services, they also offer other options, which so far, SL does not. These are my choices, not for everyone of course, but I have made them after reading everything available here, on the Wiki and SL's official pronouncements.

Again, thanks for presenting the info from all sides.

[mimos22]

Can anyone give me info on Straightliner. I`m considering taking a math course through this Univ. How exactly is it set up? Has anyone taken a basic college level math course? I need a math for Gen. Ed. course thru ECE. I`ve been out of school for awhile and need something easy and fast . Any Suggestions ? Thanks, Rosanne

[Publius]

Can anyone give me info on Straightliner. I`m considering taking a math course through this Univ. How exactly is it set up? Has anyone taken a basic college level math course? I need a math for Gen. Ed. course thru ECE. I`ve been out of school for awhile and need something easy and fast . Any Suggestions ? Thanks, Rosanne

Well, Straighterline isn't University, but a private company that offers courses. Now, many of these courses are reviewed by the American Council of Education (ACE) and have been approved for college credit. ECE is actually a partner college with Striaghterline so transferring them shouldn't be an issue (other cases you'd want to check to make sure). You can verify that here: Excelsior College - Transfer StraighterLine Credits to Excelsior College a Partner College - StraighterLine You can see which SL courses will transfer for what course at ECE.
You can also see if you like SL courses by signing for a free trial. Basically, you work through the modules. Each module contains so many concepts and topics. There are graded exams scattered throughout the course (how many and how often depend on the course). These graded exams are effects your final grade. You need a cumulative grade of at least 70% by the end of the course to receive the credit.

Other college awarding sources you could consider:
ALEKs Similar to SL, a lot cheaper though.
The College Mathematics and College Algebra CLEPs.

Also, as you've been out of it for while, Khan Academy, a free resource, is great for brushing up on math (and other topics).

Hope this helped.

[mimos22]

Thank You for all your info Publius. Have you done courses Through ALEKS ? Which would be the fastest and easiest for me. I have taken CLEP, DSST and then just tested out with ECE with Pearson Vue. By far I liked DSST the best. I don`t know if they have a College math course, I`ll have to check ..I`m afraid to DSST or CLEP this test bc if it takes me too long for the calculations , I`ll fail. That`s why I was thinking of actually taking a course. I like go at your own pace courses best ..Any suggestions? Also, I read thru other threads that SL is starting to have online proctoring. I don`t have a web cam , so that will be a problem for me.

[Ace_King]

I agree, I believe we came all to a conclusion. It's a neutral status. Neither of us won in this one, Straighterline may lose a bit of customers from the big three and us at DF will lose a source of gaining credit. Well, the ones who are still interested in taking exams proctored with a fee, won't lost anything heh. I liked Straighterline a lot, I wouldn't be here without it. I learned a lot of Straighterline courses, a lot! I loved the self pace format. Publius is right, Straighterline still beats the crap out of taking a course at $600-$700 a credit. Will I recommended them? Probably not, only because one can complete CLEPS and DSSTs for much cheaper. Or go the Penn Foster route and take the proctored examinations at a libary. We all have to do what is "best" for everyone on this forum.

Like I said, I wouldn't be here right now without the help of Straighterline providing self pace courses. 6 credits away from my B.A. So yes thanks Straighterline for providing higher education for the rest of us. Business is business at the end of the day, you guys have to do what is best for you. Good luck Straighterline in your endeavors.

[AlbaTiVo]

For your math credits ALEKS will be your cheapest option at $20 per month. I used them along with Khan Academy that Publius referred to. Intermediate algebra will probably be the lowest level math class they will accept. What school do you need this for and do they accept ALEKS, or are you just using this class to study and then taking an exam?

[Publius]

I agree, I believe we came all to a conclusion. It's a neutral status. Neither of us won in this one, Straighterline may lose a bit of customers from the big three and us at DF will lose a source of gaining credit. Well, the ones who are still interested in taking exams proctored with a fee, won't lost anything heh. I liked Straighterline a lot, I wouldn't be here without it. I learned a lot of Straighterline courses, a lot! I loved the self pace format. Publius is right, Straighterline still beats the crap out of taking a course at $600-$700 a credit. Will I recommended them? Probably not, only because one can complete CLEPS and DSSTs for much cheaper. Or go the Penn Foster route and take the proctored examinations at a libary. We all have to do what is "best" for everyone on this forum.

Like I said, I wouldn't be here right now without the help of Straighterline providing self pace courses. 6 credits away from my B.A. So yes thanks Straighterline for providing higher education for the rest of us. Business is business at the end of the day, you guys have to do what is best for you. Good luck Straighterline in your endeavors.

I think that sums it up -- Nice job Ace King. DF wiki is "fixed". It doesn't sound like they're as trigger happy to flag student accounts. It's no longer $30 for proctoring, just a $10 increase. Courses purchased before Nov 1st don't require proctoring (they're honoring their current students). And yes, they keep the proctored final. No one losses, no one side wins.

[IrishJohn]

Thank You for all your info Publius. Have you done courses Through ALEKS ? Which would be the fastest and easiest for me. I have taken CLEP, DSST and then just tested out with ECE with Pearson Vue. By far I liked DSST the best. I don`t know if they have a College math course, I`ll have to check ..I`m afraid to DSST or CLEP this test bc if it takes me too long for the calculations , I`ll fail. That`s why I was thinking of actually taking a course. I like go at your own pace courses best ..Any suggestions? Also, I read thru other threads that SL is starting to have online proctoring. I don`t have a web cam , so that will be a problem for me.

It's difficult to say which one would be easiest for you because everyone is different. However, I can tell you that many folks on here that haven't taken a math class in quite a number of years finished courses through ALEKS - not without some "agony" though. What is your major? If you are attending Excelsior College, ALEKS will transfer like SL courses do but your major will determine which course you should take. Normally people take Intermediate Algebra, College Algebra or one of the Statistics courses to satisfy their math requirements. Here's a link for ALEKS, only choose the courses with the asterik by it because they have ACE approval: Mathematics - Course Products

If you haven't taken any courses through ALEKS, it's very easy to use. The cost is only $20/month and there are no textbooks required. Do a search on the forum for the various ALEKS threads to learn more, and you can read this entry on the DF Wiki: ALEKS - Degree Forum Wiki

[IrishJohn]

Or go the Penn Foster route and take the proctored examinations at a libary. We all have to do what is "best" for everyone on this forum.

Something else to consider is if a student decides that they prefer the structured format like SL offers but need more than a month to finish a SL course, it's far better to sign up for a Penn Foster course. For example, let's say a student thinks it'll take them about 2 months (or really 28+ days) to finish a course through SL. Ok, that's $49+$99+$99 = $247 (this doesn't include the cost of the textbook). For PF it would be about $280 total which includes the textbook. Needless to say, PF also beats the $399 cost (not including textbook) from SL for a course. Now in both cases a student has to be sure that the course through either are approved by ACE (check the National Guide) and that their college will accept these courses before they enroll. I still say that taking a course through Saylor.org, which offers some structure as they have open courses, and then signing up for the CLEP or DSST is best but to each their own.