What exactly is "Straighterline"?

If I need to get through the "General Education" requirements quickly, and cheaply I know I have options. CLEP is one, but what exactly is "Straighterline"? Is it just like CLEP or what, because I don't know. Thanks for the help.

 

They are inexpensive online courses that require proctored final exams. All of their courses are ACE evaluated for college credit.

 

CLEP is offered by the College Board, the same affiliation of schools that bring you the SAT exam.

Straighterline is a private business.

Both are actually American Council on Education (ACE) approved, as is DSST(dantes). Though I don't really think CLEP and DSST rely much on their ACE recommendation anymore.

Straighterline is only "cheap" if you finish fast...take a couple of months to get a class done and your heading into the cost of a quality online CC. I'm not bashing them...just telling you to get in and get out to take advantage of the savings.

 

Straighterline also requires the purchase of a text book (sometimes very expensive). At $99/month plus $39/course + textbooks, you are looking at $140 tuition + $ for a 3 credit class that you finish inside 1 month. This is a good deal if you know your school takes this type of credit. THOUSANDS accept CLEP, dozens accept SL.
My son took a SL course that required grading of many written assignments, and the turn around time for each assignment was about 2 days per (longer over weekends). It took him about 10 weeks to get it completed, which amounted to paying 3 months + book fee (total cost ~$400) Now, if he had enrolled in 5 courses and completed them all inside 1 month, you can see where this would be serious bang for your buck. So, it's like any of these work-arounds, you have to exploit them to your advantage.

 

Here is why I ask guys and maybe you can help me out. I like structure, meaning I like "read this book, learn these set of lessons, take the exam and get credits". CLEP is kinda all over the place, there are too many learning guide books that are just example tests. I want to read this book, study this book and then go into testing 100% confident. The first book I bought was the "official CLEP study guide", that may be good for some people but for me it was kinda useless. Do you see what I'm getting at?

 

given that, you will probably love straighterline...just understand that anything that takes over 2 months is gonna wind up costing you more than just going to an inexpensive CC like a regular student.

 

Thanks for the help. I should clarify I don't mind a non-structure, I mean I just finished a 52 exam Electronics technician program with no real structure. I made my own structure, my own schedule, but I like having the material in my face, study it, pass the exam and move on/get the credits. That is what I was trying to get across. Thanks again.

 

I heard that the writing courses require a bit of work and waiting for grades, but all of the other courses only consist of quizzes and tests. They seem to be doable within a month. Some of the textbooks are expensive while others can be found for under $20. I bought the accounting and macroeconomics books. I forgot how much they cost, but one of them was dirt cheap.