Straighterline New Proctor Policy Change

[cookderosa]

From SL website today: "Proctoring is available to all students via StraighterLine proctoring services, which we partner with ProctorU to deliver. This optional resource is available for those students sending transcripts to colleges that require exam proctoring. Unless otherwise requested by your institution, it is not required. For more information please refer to the StraighterLine Proctoring page or your Partner College page." ( College student handbook for online courses and credit transfer - StraighterLine )

I know this topic began before 11-1-2012 and the last post before this one is 11-17-2012. Maybe SL has modified their proctor requirement yet again!

So my question is, to date, does TESC NOT require SL finals to be proctored when accepted in transfer?

Hummmm, well that (IMO) is the policy they should have started with. That keeps everything on the level. "you need a proctored exam? Fine, you can have our finals proctored. Don't need a proctored exam? No problem, we don't care." Now, as sharrieff asked, comes the quest to find out who needs what and who doesn't!

[MN456]

I asked a straighterline rep just now about proctoring. They are not aware of any change in policy. They said outside of English every course still requires a proctor.

Maybe the handbook is just outdated?? Or maybe the rep was just clueless?

[bldclot2]

From SL website today: "Proctoring is available to all students via StraighterLine proctoring services, which we partner with ProctorU to deliver. This optional resource is available for those students sending transcripts to colleges that require exam proctoring. Unless otherwise requested by your institution, it is not required. For more information please refer to the StraighterLine Proctoring page or your Partner College page." ( College student handbook for online courses and credit transfer - StraighterLine )

I know this topic began before 11-1-2012 and the last post before this one is 11-17-2012. Maybe SL has modified their proctor requirement yet again!

So my question is, to date, does TESC NOT require SL finals to be proctored when accepted in transfer?

The mandatory proctoring requirement was the main issue with StraighterLine, if they changed it back and this wording is correct, I would start recommending SL again, even with the price increase. If anyone gets any straight answers from SL please post.

[defscarlett]

Just curious where you found that at on the site. I looked around and couldn't find anything except in the FAQs where it still states that all exams must be proctored if purchased after Nov 1.

[sharrieff]

Just curious where you found that at on the site. I looked around and couldn't find anything except in the FAQs where it still states that all exams must be proctored if purchased after Nov 1.

Just click the words in blue, it's a link to the Student Handbook. That's why I provided it, so people can read it themselves in context.

Unfortunately for us, the holiday season has started and the SL staff may not be monitoring this forum. I would like an answer to this as well. And, if this is not an outdated policy, how does the student "turn it off"? (regardless if she's paid for it or not, that's not an issue)

[ldp103]

Hey guys,
Newbie here finishing my AS at COSC. I have four classes remaining. I was wondering the same about straighterline. I would like to take College Algebra, but in the proctor U video it says you can't look down during the exam. How is that possible when in math you need to write your problems out to get your answers. I will look into ALEKS and see about the Math.

[IrishJohn]

Hey guys,
Newbie here finishing my AS at COSC. I have four classes remaining. I was wondering the same about straighterline. I would like to take College Algebra, but in the proctor U video it says you can't look down during the exam. How is that possible when in math you need to write your problems out to get your answers. I will look into ALEKS and see about the Math.

I would definitely recommend ALEKS over Straighterline whenever possible for college-level math credits. You'll have no problem transferring the course to COSC, it's a LOT cheaper ($20/month vs. approx. $99/month + $49), and as maddening as the assessments can be at times they are still less stressful IMO than a proctored exam.

[chiquitacobbe]

I agree with IrishJohn, definitely try Aleks for the math. I was able to get through it pretty quick and I'm not that great in Algebra. And for the price it really cant be beat even if it takes you longer. Good Luck!

[pomagranate]

Don't go with Straighterline. There are Attorney General and civil rights complaints filed against them for defrauding their students.
The American Council on Education, American Counsel on Education just posted an article that says they will be giving ace transcript credit for the free online courses taken at coursera and other FREE online course websites, https://www.coursera.org/. These online courses are FREE and if ace credit will be given, then I think Straighterline will be going out of business soon. Read the article here,
ACE to Assess Potential of MOOCs, Evaluate Courses for Credit-Worthiness

N THE NEWS: ACE TO ASSESS POTENTIAL OF MOOCS

American Council on Education May Recommend Some Coursera Offerings for College Credit
The Chronicle of Higher Education
Establishment Opens Door for MOOCs
Inside Higher Ed
College Credit for Online Courses Gains Momentum
USA Today
Students Could Be Closer to Credit for Web Classes
The Associated Press (ABC News)
Free Online Courses to Be Evaluated for Possible College Credit
The New York Times
Exploring Credits for Free Online Courses
The Washington Post (free reg. req.) ‎
Online Courses to Be Reviewed for Possible Degree Credits
The Los Angeles Times (sub. req.)
Assessing Campus MOOCs
Inside Higher Ed

[sanantone]

ACE will be evaluating a few Coursera courses initially. So, for the near future, there will not be enough free ACE-approved courses to replace Straighterline. Another issue some might have with Coursera is that the courses are not self-paced and you have to wait for sessions to start. I'm hoping Saylor gets more courses evaluated by NCCRS and that maybe Udacity will think about ACE or NCCRS evaluation.