Carroll Commencement
Fairborn commencement
Badin graduation
Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2009 > December > 16 > Entry
Guest column: Career colleges clearly serve Ohio students well
This commentary was written by R. David Rankin, the executive director of the Ohio Association of Career Colleges and Schools, headquartered in Columbus.
Each year about 37,000 Ohioans work toward associate degrees at career colleges. Hundreds of others receive bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
It’s disappointing to learn the Daily News believes “the vast majority of those seeking college-level programs would be better off at a traditional school” and claims some career colleges “are scams designed to grab cash while providing little of value.”
(“Financial aid too available to shady schools,” Monday, Dec. 7.) The facts are otherwise. Career colleges educate and place into jobs students who, for many reasons, have determined that traditional public and private colleges do not meet their needs.
No other colleges receive as much oversight and regulation as career colleges. Let’s please remember, too, that state and federal financial aid does not flow to any of these institutions, but is paid directly to students. All Ohio students should be able to choose whatever accredited college or university they wish to attend.
The Daily News’ undocumented assertion that students are better off at “traditional” schools simply doesn’t square with the facts. Statewide data shows:
• 80 percent of career college students begin earning wages and pay taxes within 90 days of graduation.
• Ohio career colleges enjoy a 60 percent retention rate compared to 53 percent for community colleges.
• They graduate students at a rate more than 2.5 times better.
• About a third of career college students enroll after having tried other colleges, often community colleges.
• While career colleges instruct only about 19 percent of Ohio students enrolled in two-year programs, they comprise about 40 percent of all Ohioans who earn an associate degree.
If “quality” is measured by comparing student retention and graduation rates, the Daily News’ assertion that Sinclair Community College is “better” is simply not true:
• According to data from the U.S. Department of Education, Sinclair retains 56 percent of its full-time and 42 percent of its part-time students, but actually graduates only 10 percent.
• Nearby National College retains 91 percent of its students and graduates 78 percent of them, while RETS college retains 82 percent and graduates 97 percent.
• To add more perspective, the statewide average graduation rate is 47.3 percent for career colleges; 17 percent for public colleges.
Students who determine a career college education is best for them should have the same access to financial aid programs like Pell Grant as other students.
Readers should understand Ohio career colleges have always been results-driven and outcome-oriented. They do not receive federal or state subsidies. They welcome full disclosure on outcomes.
Student success is paramount and they continually ensure their curricula meet the relevant needs of Ohio’s employers.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment |
Comments
By RAW
December 18, 2009 10:02 AM | Link to this
I could not have said this better myself. Thank you for the public defense for what was an outright attack by a clearly biased writer in the December 7 article.
By 4stargal
December 19, 2009 6:03 AM | Link to this
Career Colleges and Schools should be measured by the fiscal (loans)dues nongraduating students are saddled with. As a society we should be ashamed that we allow government to act as a ‘feeder’ to loan companies. The average observer (including the Dayton Daily News) has no idea the scam that is being played on the poorest of our citizens - in the name of making someone’s dream come true.
By career college graduate
December 21, 2009 12:40 PM | Link to this
I am the first graduate of my family after unsuccessful attempts through a community college. I have a career with decent pay that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to obtain. As you see in the article, most students are successfull and move into their designated career path. I have no problem paying back my student loans because it was an investment in myself for my future. It’s not the colleges fault that people drop out. They should return back to school and finish what they start.