Save Money, Learn Better?

Retailer Wal-Mart is offering online degrees for employees.  The size of this will have ripple effects:

“If 10 to 15 percent of employees take advantage of this, that’s like graduating three Ohio State Universities,” said Sara Martinez Tucker, a former under secretary of education who is now on Wal-Mart’s external advisory council.

3 Replies to “Save Money, Learn Better?”

  1. What an amazing statement by Ms Tucker. Do you think she did some research or is she pulling it from her hat?

    The average employee makes a bit over $24,000 and tuition will run them a bit over $5,000 a year. Their health plan only pays 80% of expenses if they get to the point where they are working enough hours to be eligible for the full wage. How many people will take a chance that getting a degree will pay off better than saving for a new car or their kids’ educations since the single person income is a bit less than the average individual cost of living.

  2. Wal Mart says it will underwrite a lot of this:

    The partnership with American Public University, a for-profit school with about 70,000 online students, will allow some Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club employees to earn credits in areas like retail management and logistics for performing their regular jobs.

    The university will offer eligible employees 15 percent price reductions on tuition, and Wal-Mart will invest $50 million over three years in other tuition assistance for the employees who participate.

  3. Great post. I found a great non-profit that has been helping
    disadvantaged school districts and has had many success stories
    improving student achievement in Math, SAT and ACT including Collier County, FL and St. Landry Parish, LA. Their site is
    http://www.cyberlearning.org. CyberLearning also offers Technology courses that many schools could find useful.

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