I want  to find an online school - without to many complaints!!!  

I have looked into (and recieved calls from) Penn Foster, Kaplan, Phoenix - all sound great - but are they?

After more research I find complaint after complaint.  I am wondering if the person the end of the telephone just wants to sell me something!

Anyway, I guess my question would be "Does anyone out there have any recommendations for me?"  I am wanting to earn an Associates in teaching assistant.

 I live in New jersey - not sure if this is relevant.

Looking forward to a reply!

There aren't that many Associate degrees specifically in Teaching Assistant.  Our database only has the ones at University of Phoenix, which you already mentioned, and one at Warner Southern College (a regionally accredited school in Florida).

If you're willing to consider an Associate degree with a more general focus, and then go on for a Bachelor's in Education, you'd have a lot more options.  Is that something you'd consider?

-=Steve=- 

Thankyou for your reply Steve.

My plan is to get into an Elementary school as an assistant before deciding to go on for a Bachelors.  I believe Teaching Assistant is for me but am open to suggestions!

My problem is I can only find negative  info re schools mentioned and I need positives!!!

I really do want to get on board and start a study program.  I have a plan to be working in 3 years - so plenty(ish) of time! 

Have you any more info re Kaplan or Penn Foster? 

Thanks!

 

 

Well, if you are looking for complaints about any school, you will certainly find them!  Students always have something to complain about.

 I am in the Marketing program with Penn Foster College, and I can tell you that it has been great.  I am currently having issues with the Financial Accounting program (it is difficult!), but nothing I can't overcome.  I have learned a lot and it has definitely helped me in the performance of my job.  PFC is a correspondence school, which means you learn from books and study guides, so you must be able to work well independently.  There is no one to hold your hand, although you can call an instructor if you have problems with any of your courses. I write the blog on eLearners called "My Penn Foster College Experience", and it will give you a pretty good idea of what it is like to study with PFC. 

I believe PFC has a program in Early Childhood Education.  if you decide to go on to a bachelors degree you could then transfer to Western Governors University, which has an excellent teacher certification program available via distance learning. 
 

tcord1964:

Well, if you are looking for complaints about any school, you will certainly find them!  Students always have something to complain about.

That's the truth.  It's unwise to be strongly swayed by a single negative report, no matter how vitriolic.  It's more reliable to get a sense of things by seeing what the trends are when many people respond.

-=Steve=- 

Hi There! I think that any choice will have issues that may rub one the wrong way. I am in University of Phoenix, and at first I admit I was skeptical. I heard many drawbacks and complaints, but I also heard good things too. Yes, I heard/read more negative than good, and was about *this* close to not going through with it. I was talking to a friend of mine who pointed out that in life it's usually it's easier to find negative information over the positive, as unfortunate of a truth that is, why should I expect school to be any different.  She really did have a point, and encouraged me to stick with it for a while until I formed my own opinion. So  I did, and it took me a while to get used to the good and the bad, and it took me a bit longer to logically evaluate what I felt was the lesser of the two evils, so to speak. I have now been doing UoP for almost 7 months, and overall I am glad I stuck with it!!

I agree with what you said though, about feeling like you are being sold something.  One of the biggest problems with UoP is, since they are a for-profit school,they have come accross as salespeople rather than educators (and really, they are both) While that turned me off quite a bit, I have found many strong points of UoP, and for me the advantages far surpass the disadvantages.

Good luck in making the choice that is best for you 

The problem with UofP is the stigma attached to the school caused by unscrupulous, guerrilla warfare sales tactics and an open enrollment.  I like the idea of open enrollment but hate the idea that it can be used in tandem with high pressure sales tactics.  As such you have a perfectly good educational institution with an admissions and marketing agenda which needs to be seriously revamped.

I know what you mean, but the University of Phoenix's admissions policies and marketing approach have built them the largest student population in the U.S. since their inception thirty-odd years ago.  I think their growth has leveled off recently, but still, with that kind of success I wouldn't expect change any time soon.

-=Steve=- 

It's a two edge sword I suppose.  What helps the school financially seems to be hurting the students because it damages the schools reputation.