I remain concerned that HB1822 is not what it it is being sold as to our legislature. Despite considerable effort, I have not yet been able to get answers to the simple question I have already asked.
I fear that making WGU part of Washington’s higher ed system could degrade the quality of an excellent system.
I also fear that the tuition at WGU, at twice what we noe charge students at our existing community colleges, is counter to the bills intent to better serve low income students.
Let me update you on my efforts to learn the truth about Western Governor’s University.
I made two calls to Representative Kenney, the primary sponsor of HB1822. I also offered to talk with any of her staff,. No one in her office has been able or willing to respond to my concerns. The staff did tell me that the bill was vetted by faculty at our state universities but could not give me names.
This is especially concerning because of the words in HB1822 justifying the need for recognizing WGU as a state university,
“The legislature finds that while Washington enterprises that rely on highly educated workers have been able to fill positions from within the state and by attracting workers from other states or nations, businesses located in states that fail to produce sufficient numbers of degreed workers will be at a competitive disadvantage, since these employers will incur the added expense of recruiting heavily in other states and countries to find their skilled workforce”.
I do not think that Microsoft, Amazon, the UW or even out high schools are going to hire the students graduating from the programs WGU offers. To find out more, I did talk, to a representative of the Gates Foundation, a major sponsor on WGU and an important part of our community. .He described WGU as intended to “serve low-income young adults … “creat(ing)” more effective pathways for them in college so more them get a quality education, (and) complete for careers ….”
I have restated my questions in terms that seem relevant to Gates’ goals:
!. What is WGU’s time to earn a BA or BS degree?
Their own numbers suggest that the claim of “2 1/2” years is not correct.
MY guess is that WGU is conflating certificate programs for computer professionals with the much larder issue of serving students who meet your criteria as being undeserved.
2. Are WGU Bachelor and Master degrees valid?
Again, Gates seems to consider WGU a form of remedial, vocational education. This might explain the lack oif math above remedial level, despite the claim to offer BS and MS degrees in science nursing and computer sciences.
I am also very concerned that WGU claims to be training people to be high school teachers while not apparently offering college level courses in math, biology, history, etc.
3. Do WGU’s financial numbers add up?
I am still startled by the $700,000 salary of WGU’s president and the fact that WGU tuition seems to be twice what tuition is at WA state community colleges. At the same time, WGU appears to have an income of $120,000,000.
As a non profit, aren’t they supposed to publish a balance sheet?
If they are not paying faculty, where does this money go? How much do they spend on marketing?
4. What is the evidence that WGU improves employment for the poor and undeserved.?
Where is the data?
The greater part of WGU’s testimonials seem to be by software professionals who buy WGU rebranded certification tools. Upgrading software professionals is a good thing but is that the Gates’ goal?
My understanding is that someone from Gates will be getting back to me with more information this week.
H-1353.1 _____________________________________________
HO– USE BILL 1822
_____________________________________________
State of Washington 62nd Legislature 2011 Regular Session
By Representatives Kenney, Parker, Seaquist, Pettigrew, Dickerson, and
Zeiger
Read first time 02/03/11. Referred to Committee on Higher Education.
1 AN ACT Relating to establishing the first Washington nonprofit
2 online university; adding a new section to chapter 28B.76 RCW; and
3 creating a new section.
4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
5 NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the key to
6 Washington’s economic prosperity over the past twenty years has been a
7 thriving employment sector for workers who have high levels of
8 education. The legislature finds that by 2018, sixty-seven percent of
9 all jobs in Washington will require some postsecondary education – the
10 fifth highest in the nation – and that between 2011 and 2018, the
11 number of Washington jobs requiring postsecondary education will
12 increase by two hundred fifty-nine thousand. The legislature finds
13 that while Washington enterprises that rely on highly educated workers
14 have been able to fill positions from within the state and by
15 attracting workers from other states or nations, businesses located in
16 states that fail to produce sufficient numbers of degreed workers will
17 be at a competitive disadvantage, since these employers will incur the
18 added expense of recruiting heavily in other states and countries to
19 find their skilled workforce. Citizens of Washington will not have
page 2
1 (3) The board shall adopt rules and policies that require board
2 consultation and approval before:
3 (a) Modifications of contractual terms or relationships between the
4 state and the institution of higher education;
5 (b) Changes or modifications in the nonprofit status of the
6 institution of higher education; or
7 (c) Internal managerial or administrative restructuring of the
8 institution of higher education.
— END —
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