Straight Talk from Al Jacobs

THE ONLINE EDUCATION PROPOSAL

The fight over online education goes on. Here in California, Governor Jerry Brown proposes earmarking a comparatively modest $120 million to create a statewide community college system offering only online courses. In doing so, he envisions such a program will benefit some 2.5 million high school graduates, ages 25 to 34, most of who desire higher education, but are working and unable to take time off to attend regular classes. As you might guess, critics of the governor’s proposal find fault with every aspect of the concept.

Who do you suppose might oppose a relatively low cost plan to benefit working Californians who seek to improve themselves educationally? Why naturally those in the education business. Foremost among the opponents is Joshua Pechthalt, president of the California Federation of Teachers, which comprises more than 140 local unions and represents community college instructors. Among his objections: “What makes education really come alive for students is interaction with instructors and other students. Online is not a good approach.” As for his real concern, of course, is the fear a successful online program will pull students away from local campuses and with it the dues-paying employees he represents.

Also in opposition to successful online education are many college heads who dread the prospect of losing student revenue. However, they aren’t speaking out as yet for fear of tangling with either the governor or Community College Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley, an advocate of the program whose office would run the online entity.

Viewing online study from a learning perspective, I’ll offer a testimonial of sorts. In an earlier time, correspondence courses performed the same function – and I took my share of them. Thanks to LaSalle Institute, and many diligent mail carriers, my grasp of partnership law is sound, despite a one-time nameless and faceless course instructor located in a post office box some two thousand miles away in Chicago, Illinois. Admittedly, a smiling and enthusiastic professor in a prestigious university adds a touch of stature to the process, but a motivated student who strives to learn will do so, regardless of the accouterments. My point: Online education can be as beneficial to the serious student as presence in the classroom. Though the educational hierarchy may – for perfectly understandable reasons – despise the concept, it’s justifiably here to stay.

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Al Jacobs, a professional investor for nearly a half-

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