<p>I do work with low income kids from urban schools, and the amount of MISinformation they are given – particularly from for-profit colleges – is awful. Most of our own kids wouldn’t be in a position to really understand the costs and benefits of a specific degree or certificate program, and low income kids – who often have parents that don’t have much educational background either – are even less prepared. Too many end up in large debt for something of very dubious value. </p>
<p>I don’t know that what is being done up in Oregon is ideal, but there are so many abuses in this area that some form of consumer protection is desperately needed, imo. </p>
<p>These kids want to work. They want degrees or certificates that will help them get decent paying jobs in the relevant field, but too many of these programs fall very wide of the mark – some don’t even provide the minimum credential required by the licensing entity. Nor do they expend much effort seeing if the students are actually qualified.</p>