Letters to the Editor

For-profit colleges have reformed

I am writing to respond to the commentary by Donna Cooper, who was secretary of policy and planning when I was governor ("The coming college loan crisis," Oct. 3).

I joined the board of the Foundation for Educational Success after serving on an advisory board, which was charged with responding to some of the challenges that Cooper identified regarding the activities of some for-profit colleges.

We adopted strong standards that would go a long way toward preventing some of the abuses that were taking place. We required that all students have access to critical information before they make enrollment decisions, including program costs and typical student outcomes. Schools that disclose career outcomes must also provide supporting documentation.

Most importantly, schools that adhere to the standards will provide students with a 21-day "readiness opportunity," under which students can withdraw at any point before their 21st day and leave the school with no federal loan debt. This will ensure students fully understand what will be required of them.

These standards represent a significant protection for students, a fact Cooper simply ignores. The Foundation for Educational Success will oversee the implementation of these standards with an audit process and a compliance department headed by former Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch.

Schools that are approved will be listed on the board's website and will be free to advertise the board's approval. It is our hope that board approval will have the same effect as the Better Business Bureau seal of approval.

Cooper correctly points out that only 17 percent of for-profit schools have agreed to abide by these standards. The board intends to continue its drive to obtain full compliance throughout the sector. Instead of being critical of the board's work, Cooper should help to ensure that all prospective students are aware of the board's standards and approval list.

Edward G. Rendell, board member, Foundation for Educational Success, Philadelphia

Voters need the facts for 2012

In all the 2012 election punditry, where are the facts? One in five Americans lives in poverty. One percent of the population earns 40 percent of the wealth. Banks aren't lending but are profiting, and small businesses are struggling. Salaries are dropping. Corporate profits are up, and so is their price gouging of the public. Republicans are blocking President Obama's jobs bill and any stimulus to create jobs or fix our infrastructure. K Street corporate lobbyists dominate Washington.

Obama is the first president to give Americans any help with health care and regulation, while Democrats in Congress get little or no press. Denying Americans the facts can only make a bad situation worse for 2012.

Karl Kofoed, Drexel Hill

Financial titans still 'too big to fail'

If people want real competition, as so many say they do, then Congress should force the breakup of large Wall Street firms and bank holding companies. Consolidation has dominated the financial landscape for two decades. As we found out, the consolidated firms became "too big to fail." Their salaries and bonuses didn't suffer while our savings and retirement funds tanked.

Unfortunately, these firms have too much power on Capitol Hill. The sit-ins on Wall Street are the right idea, but will not influence Congress.

Dave Savage, Collingswood

Will Christie veer to the right?

Now that it's clear Gov. Christie is preparing a run for the presidency in 2016, we will soon learn just how principled a candidate he will be. Does he really believe that conservatives will continue to turn a blind eye to his relatively moderate views on energy, gun control, ethnic and gender tolerance, immigration, and abortion? My guess is the governor is right now dusting off his flip-flops and preparing to continue the Republican tradition of pandering to the party's right wing just to gain votes.

Robert J. Rosania, Phoenixville, brosania@comcast.net