OPINION – A bill sponsored by Mike Castle (R-Delaware) to shame higher education for high costs is expected to pass and be signed into law by President Bush. I do not think this bill is incorrect in its message. I think Congress could look at on-line education as a valid, lower cost alternative. To me, this bill shows a lack of imagination and vision. Troy University (on-line) in Alabama is serving thousands of students at a fraction of the cost of traditional colleges and universities. Community colleges are cost efficient alternatives as well.

Congress should be looking at:

• Making on-line learning accessible so all can attend.
• Improving learning standards and technology to cut costs and deliver education to anyone, anywhere.
• Providing tax payer funds to the most efficient with the best results.
• Providing support for needed degree programs that can improve our society.
• Cutting tax-payer support for those institutions you plan to shame.

Shaming wasteful and high cost education providers is appropriate. We can do more. I encourage Representative Mike Castle to contact us at DigitalChalk for answers!