For-profit Online Program Managers (OPMs) like Academic Partnerships and 2U recruit students for regional and elite state universities and private schools--hoping to profit from the growth of online education. But learning outcomes, completion rates... — read more
"Black men were offered a second chance at college, then pitfalls piled up"
https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/investigations/2023/06/01/morehouse-college-online-program-falls-short/70225028007/
This is why employee turnover is so high
Managers and directors are a bunch of young people who lack experience and do not know how to manage people or run programs. Many of them have superiority complexes and/or are sheep who follow orders from other incompetent people. All they actually... — read more
Lazy people all around.
Company is flooded with lazy people. Hours or days without chat or email responses. Are people working? Unprofessional and pathetic.
This seems not great
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4603853-2u-problems-multiplying “All in all, the situation is not trending in 2U's favor. Steer clear here and watch the company's implosion from the sidelines, and resist the temptation to catch a falling kn--e.” — read more
Where is 2U on the OPM battlescape?
https://www.highereducationinquirer.org/2023/05/opm-market-landscape-and-dynamics.html
The stock price will become a problem this summer
I’ve read news on how analysts are valuing 2U. One outlet acknowledges that investors may push for additional change by this summer. If you take a look at the stock price and layoffs, there’s a clear trend when and why layoffs occur. Chegg bounced... — read more
It gets worse...
https://s.wsj.net/public/resources/documents/USCComplaint.pdf https://www.wsj.com/articles/lawsuit-says-university-of-southern-california-used-misleading-practices-to-sell-online-social-work-degree-6545ded9?mod=e2tw
Really, Chip?
"However, despite US$7 trillion being spent on the education market worldwide, there are no major global edtech companies, even though 2U is... — read more
Good Old Jack
https://triumpheducation.com/team/
How's the flywheel effect working?
https://www.edsurge.com/news/2022-08-05-what-a-new-strategy-at-2u-means-for-the-future-of-online-higher-education
How much time is left?
How much longer can 2U survive? 5 years?
Have been down this road before...
For more than a decade: COCO, ESI (ITT Tech), EDMC (Argosy, Art Institutes), DV, APOL (University of Phoenix), LAUR (Walden University), Dream Center. 2U is in that same process...of degeneration. Can it hang on? Yes. Do you want to be associated... — read more
It’s time for Chip to step down
It is time for Chip to step down. The board needs to take action. This so called rocket ship is going to be another Challenger.
EdTech Griftopia
https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/jason-wingards-edtech-griftopia/
What the edtech/OPM terrain looks like
And with a zoom into 2U. https://philhillaa.com/onedtech/opm-market-landscape-and-dynamics-spring-2023-updates/#comment-3576
What will Chip say at ASU+GSV?
More PHD*? https://www.asugsvsummit.com/
EdTech Meltdown
https://www.highereducationinquirer.org/2023/04/edtech-meltdown-grows-beyond-silicon.html
BNY Mellon buying more shares of 2U
Why would BNY Mellon buy more shares of 2U? https://beststocks.com/bny-mellon-increases-holdings-in-2u-inc-as-edtec/
2U sues to stop application of Third Party OPMs, claiming "arbitrary and capritious"
https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2023/04/05/2u-sues-education-department-over-outsourcing-guidance
Student Engagement
I've heard of 1 program cutting their Student Success team. Any word on other programs following suit?
What do 2U schools and University of Phoenix have in common?
Red Ventures and other lead generators. https://www.collegechoice.net/college-life/best-college-newspapers/
What do 2U schools and University have in common?
Red Ventures and other lead generators. https://www.collegechoice.net/college-life/best-college-newspapers/
Old news (from last week) but still ironic?
Chip rings the closing bell.... https://www.nasdaq.com/events/2u-inc-rings-the-closing-bell
2U-USC
Imagine what happens if ED really goes after OPMs. https://www.highereducationinquirer.org/2023/03/erica-gallagher-speaks-out-about-2us.html
Borrower Defense Claims Surpass 750,000. Consumers Empowered. Subprime Colleges and Programs Threatened.
As of January 2023, there are more than ¾ of a million Borrower Defense claims against schools. And each month, about 16,000 new claims are added. Those claims are disproportionately made against a number of for-profit colleges and formerly... — read more
2U-USC fallout in DC
Let's see how this mess continues to develop. ED has already changed rules about transparency with universities and OPMs that is scheduled to take effect in May. https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7039340383553626113/
More dismal news
Trying to stem the losses by more firings? https://www.highereddive.com/news/non-degree-programs-high-costs-crowded-market/644054/
Cost cutting ahead
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4582641-2u-declining-enrollments-will-threaten-profitability-plans
ROI with numbers?
Is 2U trying to sell schools with ROI for the programs? If so, isn't this fuel for Borrower Defense to Repayment claims?
It's PR Time....
"We care about our mission, we care about our partners and we wake up each morning in service to the 48-plus million learners that come to our platform seeking life-changing educational opportunities. It is time to embrace — not censor — the... — read more
Steer clear for your own sanity
This was written in 2019, yet not much has changed. Except it has gotten worse. No more company meetings is a plus. “Steer clear for your own sanity" Admissions Counselors at 2U perform work much closer to fraud telemarketing than "counseling." The... — read more
"Oversight Coming for Online Program Providers"
"Colleges and universities that contract with an online program management company need to submit details about those arrangements by May 1." https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2023/02/16/education-department-review-rules-online-program-providers — read more
Big Tech Stagnation
The next phase of edtech... https://novum.substack.com/i/101103540/big-tech-stagnation
"DeLauro: For-profit online program management companies are the new predators in higher education"
The heat will be on even after this latest round of layoffs. https://www.highereddive.com/news/Rosa-DeLauro-for-profit-online-program-management-companies-OPM-predators/641131/
More Layoffs Today
At least one team was gutted with no prior warning
Here we go again
Looks like the other shoe has dropped only this time they're not dragging us along for the ride....
Path to Profitability?
"Although 2U officials touted that a new business strategy is helping the ed tech company get on track to be profitable, they told analysts Thursday that they still expect net losses in... — read more
Ch*p explains it all...
Lots of s**t to digest. https://seekingalpha.com/article/4574951-2u-inc-twou-q4-2022-earnings-call-transcript