Page 375 - Crisis in Higher Education

Appendix B • 345

b. Invest in technology to deliver program content effectively.
c. Start with high-enrollment courses, where it is possible to enjoy
economies of scale.
d. Offer complete programs, so online students can graduate with-
out setting foot on campus.
e. Create educational program that are secure so the person who
received the grade is the person actually doing the work.
f. Share online offerings with other universities to spread the fixed
costs of course development.
g. Have no activity fees for students enrolling in online learning.
2. When students are preparing for a degree in higher education, they
should take as many rigorous high school courses as possible.
3. States should work with their high schools, public community and
technical colleges, and public universities to create meaningful col-
lege preparatory and vocational tracks and ensure that these entities
provide the best education at the lowest cost. This includes the use of
the HEC to coordinate course offerings and eliminate redundancy
and gaps.
4. Many states offer virtual high school options to young students.
This capability should be extended to adults who dropped out of
elementary or high school so that they can complete their degree
and have the opportunity for a better life and advanced education.
5. Students using community and technical colleges to lower the costs
of higher education should make sure that their coursework trans-
fers to universities and meets graduation requirements.
6. It is vital to standardize college preparatory classes offered in high
schools with similar offerings in public two-year colleges and four-
year universities so students do not waste time or money.
7. Beyond these courses, community and technical colleges and uni-
versities should identify common courses and agree on content and
performance standards—even common learning materials. This
would simplify transferring to universities and reduce the risk of
having courses taken at the community and technical college not
counting toward a four-year degree.
8. States should work with universities to create pathways to learn-
ing for all students, including graduates from technical programs,
so they have ample opportunities for advancement.