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KansasCity.com

 

President Barack Obama repeatedly has emphasized the need for education and his goal of the U.S. regaining its No. 1 higher education status in the world by 2020.

 

It is attainable, but the “gainful employment” rule the U.S. Department of Education is considering will work against the president’s goals. (6/6, A8, “For-profit colleges are bracing for regulations”)

 

This policy will affect career colleges and their students. Career colleges give students an opportunity to earn a certificate, associate degree, and often a bachelor’s degree.

 

The gainful employment rule will penalize students who have made the decision to enter the workforce by denying them the funds to pay for their education.

 

The program rationale is that the starting salaries of career college graduates are too low to justify the federal financing the students get. Charles Rivers Associates released a report estimating that by 2020 there will be about 5.4 million students on track to attend career-focused postsecondary schools, and they will be denied that right because of criteria in the gainful employment rule.

 

Career colleges strive to reach every student every day. To deny these students that opportunity is unfathomable.

 

Ed M. Colon
Vice president, Operations
Pinnacle Career Institute
Kansas City

 

Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/06/12/2012635/letters-sunday-june-13.html#ixzz0r2bsRfHL

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