Hlee,
You are so right about the speed of today's media. The ability to communicate promptly and broadly has certainly increased the impact of media.
Traci Lee
Media exposes have created an air of distrust in the public toward targeted schools, which has led to increased regulation. It's far better to anticipate exposure proactively by seeking out questionable areas and correcting them.
This has been my complaint with the media as well - without any attempt to distinguish between schools, or even types of schools, they paint with a broad brush, making the entire industry seem suspect. All the while, the public institutions seem to get a pass.
But on closer inspection, many if not all accreditors of career colleges require their member schools to achieve benchmarks in placement. Does this also apply to the large regionally-accredited colleges? No. Yet it's possible for a student to spend far more at a 4-year regionally-accredited school than at a career college - and sometimes with little vocational opportunities to show for it.
But the media tide may be turning. Recent articles this year (2012) have started examining whether the larger schools may be resulting in large student debt without any guarantee of return on that investment.
I wish the media would focus on other positive attributes of career schools - like the one you mentioned. I have had students who are approaching graduation come to my office so excited by what they've learned - and the confidence they've gained in themselves because they've learned *how* to learn. With their new belief in themselves, they not only look forward to new career opportunities, but now realize they can attain higher education, which had once seemed daunting.
Mala,
Agreed that proactive helps in getting ahead of issues.
Traci Lee
Nyssa,
Well said. Like anything else, I think that all sectors may have various levels of quality within its constituency and it is important not to stereotype.
Traci Lee
I believe the affect the media has had on regulation is profound. Some has been fair but other items have been very narrow in scope. My school, for instance, has never had an issue with Admission's and gifts/bonuses, although I now this to be a "hot button" topic right now.
Students dont have the understanding of how the chain of command works. We hear their concerns and we do follow up on them but sometimes its not the results they are looking for. Sometimes they just take something so small an turn it into something big than they want to expose the school for one little issue and not the good we do every day for them.
We all know that negative reporting seem to get attention faster than anything positive. Because the media report stories of issues that may have occured at a college to the public, I'm sure the regulatory agencies receive calls from the public regarding the issue. Possibly some issues that come up may call for regulatory intervention.
If it's something that impacts enrollment, financial aid, college polices.
I've found that media can be both helpful and harmful to a school and its functioning.
For example, Dr. Oz has been touting the benefits of holistic living, which includes various forms of massage for stress relief. Many prospective students have been mentioning his name and a few others in the field, when applying. It's been useful in helping to recruit.
On the flip side, even the slightest negative comment about the massage field can sway both prospective students and regular students alike. We have found that though the trend for massage therapy (especially in a recession/depression) is growing in my region, "officials" and those who think that they know the field, will say otherwise and dissuade those truly interested in massage therapy. It is a cause of concern for the students.
I think advertising with negative impact from the media was already thoroughly covered. I think the most that we can do is to keep putting out good/positive news so that viewers can have an informed choice, instead of just an opinion on their computer.
The media has put educational regulations under a microscope.
Any violation, be it from human error or malicious intent, is broadcast for the world to see which puts intense pressure on both the regulatory bodies as well as the educational institutions.
Positive - ensures all schools are held to the same high standards
Negative - can jeopardize the integrity of a school based on incomplete information from media source
Media will always be a Catch 22.
Kristen,
Good point about how various television shows and celebrities has influenced education. I have heard from several employees at culinary schools about how food related channels and celebrity chefs have positively impacted their schools. It's a good reminder that when we get consumed with some of the negative side that there is also a positive opportunity for many schools and programs based on current trends, expanded media options, etc.
Traci Lee
Amanda,
Well stated - definitely pros and cons to some of what schools are experiencing.
Traci Lee
Media has brought to light both positive and negative aspects of education industry. while many network and published articles tend to focus on what an institution has done incorrectly, these investigations also allow schools to proactively correct or adapt their regualtions for compliance.
Like with any type of business we have to use best practices to improve. Hopefully this information is found, corrected(if needed) and shared prior to a negative incident occuring.
The Media coverage of negative comments from students or employees in some cases, will play a vital part regarding influence of regulatory agencies. The viral effect in today's enviorment can make any local issue a national nightmare in minutes.
Alexander ,
You are so right - the viral potential with today's media options has changed the impact and timing of issues which may arise.
Traci Lee
The media is quick to blow the whistle on many propriatory schools. They are quick to call out low placement rates but are still the first one's to claim we need more skilled trade workers. The media needs to understand many schools are out to better train students especially those not fit for traditional college
I think it's important that we remember that we are all human and we all make mistakes. It's how we handle those errors that shows our desire for efficiency and accuracy. And I think the hope is that we learn from those errors and don't continue to make the same mistakes twice. The media and society love drama. Anytime we can place blame on someone or some thing, makes for good TV.
Paul,
It is frustrating that the very source of comments about needing trained students are quick to call out problems. I like when I see schools submit positive press releases - graduation results, highlights of a successful grad, etc. that end up being published to offset some of the negative publicity.
Traci Lee
Allison,
Well said! I think a commitment to corrective action and applying lessons learned helps demonstrate a commitment to ethics, compliance and accuracy.
Traci Lee
