Further to my previous piece on this subject (Mature Students: getting a degree, Sept 12), a few more insights have been mentioned in the press, in the UK, about the USA's innovations in the area of 'higher education.' In 'Older, wiser, jobless . . ,' a new program endorsed by City University of Seattle commends and rewards the older student who has gained experienced in life in various kinds of ways, apparently, though the article itself mentions only the valuable contribution of the older wiser person who has previously had a career.
It seems that the original meaning of 'mature student' that was familiar to many of us at Western, that of the older student who was permitted to register for a BA without having a graduation certificate, has now been changed, or gotten lost in the intricate application program that neglects to mention this aspect of 'mature student.' True, this article is about the United States, not Canada or Britain. And the emphaiss seems to be on the older person who has previously had a career and now wants a degree so she or he can use it to advance their career or regain one. The essential part of this process - the PLA or Prior Learning Assessment - is based on the candidate having an advisor. But I wonder how easy it is to get an advisor at university who could understand the value of one's life experience and want to see the student progress. I never had such a person, who was willing to take the time to understand and go through it with me, and despite having graduated from high school, and achieved a BA and MA, never got to either continue my education or have a career. This kind of mentorship is the foundation of the Prior Learning program in the USA.
It seems to me that the focus will be on only those students the advisor can relate to, can understand without it having to take up too much time or throught processes. That sounds as though a good many qualified individuals will be excluded, for not having the right network, or not living in the right neighbourhood, or having the right husband (not the mention not previously had the right kind of life experience - the career.) How do we know this isn't just another program created for the benefit of a certain segment in society, or certain individuals, so they can be fast tracked through the educational system, while their initial lack of qualifications stand a good chance of getting lost in the process.
In Canada, a related matter has occurred, whereby a student at the University of Manitoba was given a PhD despite not being able to handle certain situations during the educational process. If all PhD candidates' weaknesses and deficiencies are overlooked or forgiven, then what would be the state of those who get to educate the next generation.
What of favouritism in the higher eduational process? Is it what we want? Or if we are one of the favoured would we, too, look the other way. The comments sections following the articles 'Court battle' and 'Older, wiser, jobless' offer insights into what the people think.
Court battle over PhD
By Aldo Santin
Winnipeg Free Press
Oct 30, 2010
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/court-battle-over-phd-106366028.html?path=/local&id=106366028&sortBy=rank
Mature Students: getting a degree, or a lifetime of 'continuing education'
By Sue McPherson
Sue's Views on the News
Sept 12, 2010
http://suemcpherson.blogspot.com/2010/09/mature-students-getting-degree-or.html
Older, wiser, jobless: US adults drawn by degrees
By Jon Marcus
THE (Times Higher Education)
December 2, 2010
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=414424
University defends giving PhD to student who failed
By Nick Martin, Winnipeg Free Press
Vancouver Sun
Nov 18, 2010
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/University+defends+giving+student+failed/3847406/story.html
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