I don’t want to put forth the impression that I feel it is okay for companies to treat their staff inappropriately, but if Ashford is doing this, they need to be reported to the correct people, not blasted on a blog. Just saying…

I view education as a lifelong experience and I cannot imagine my life without my online classes. Rest assured that I take my classes and my GPA very seriously. As a baby boomer, I assure you that I am one of many who desire this purposeful pursuit of higher learning even perhaps until I receive my PhD. Learning and writing fulfill me and I know I add value to the group discussions that are a necessary part of the curriculum. My life is richer for the experience.

You would be doing those of us in the “over 40 and settled” age groups the most amazing of services by bringing Columbia online and out to meet the world of students waiting for you.

Best of success,

Alexandra Barrett

So the people who work for Ashford University are not happy with their jobs. It does not make the students any dumber. If the Ashford staff is unhappy, go get another J-O-B!

Responsive Information: 

The State of Texas Student Assessment costs for 2010-2011 school year is $90,665,041.00 and the total amount will be paid to Pearson.  The amount for the State of Texas Student Assessment contract for 2010-2015 is $468,392,617.00 and again, the total amount will be paid to Pearson.

Please note that you have another open request with the Student Assessment Division, PIR 14681 (Brown), which is currently being processed and for which we will provide a written response to you on or before February 10, 2011.  If you have other requests with the TEA, they have not been assigned to the Student Assessment Division, and you may choose to confirm the status of those requests by writing to pir@tea.state.tx.us.

If you have any questions or wish to discuss PIR 14637 (Brown) further, please contact me at (512) 463-9536 or by email at pir@tea.state.tx.us.

Sincerely,

Jennifer J Eaton
TEA Public Information Coordinator
Enclosure:
Original Request, below
 

This is my response received from Texas Education Agrncy in 2011 following a public information request on the expense of state mandated testing in TX. One superintendent posted on Texasisd.com that 15,000 teachers’ salaries were sacrificed on the altar of state testing with this expense. Texas State Rep. Dan Flynn filed an amendment on HB 2491 calling for a 2 year moratorium on state testing so the monies could be spent to hire and retain quality teachers. I was told the Senate chairwoman of the Education Committee struck it from the bill. Obviously she was more concerned about Pearson than TX teachers.

I am a student advisor at Ashford University. The academic advisor and financial services provider positions have since merged since this article was written to create the student advisor position. I can say in all honesty that this article is an accurate description of Ashford University. There are numerous issues with Ashford that will not get resolved unless the government regulates the company and the industry. Due to government regulations the admissions department has gotten better, however the entire company is completely flawed. I could go on and on about issues at Ashford. Point blank: If you are a student attending Ashford University, you should probably reconsider your choice of college. Please remember, this post is coming from an employee of the university who understands how and why things are done. Everything at AU is done with profits being the motivator.