DETC Degree Program Evalutions

DETC Degree Program Evalutions

"While a majority of students did not attempt to transfer their credits to another academic institution, of those who did try, 69% were successful."

http://tinyurl.com/f2xby

 

Some quick thoughts:

The method in which the sample was drawn seems like a violation of FERPA guidelines, as the names of graduates should not have been disclosed by the institutions:

"In March 2006 the Distance Education and Training Council surveyed graduates of 31 DETC-accredited degree-granting institutions. Members were asked to submit a random sample of 100 names of graduates from their degree programs. 1 The degrees awarded ranged from the Associates through the First Professional degree levels."

Another possibility is that the students were asked by the institutions whether they would permit their names to be released to DETC, which introduced some non-response bias, etc.

What led me to share this thought is findings such as this:

"Ninety-eight percent said that they received appropriate information about policies, procedures, support services, and cost for the program (1% were unsure)."

Getting 98% of sample to express anything conclusive is suspect.

Overall, it is an interesting report but the method in which the sample was drawn raises some questions.

Dave