Archive for the ‘Online Education’ Category
Lower Enrollment Hurts Capella – Analyst Blog
Posted: February 15, 2012 at 6:44 pm
Capella Education Company ( CPLA ), the provider of online education, recently delivered fourth-quarter 2011 earnings of 91 cents a share that dropped 16.5% from $1.09 earned in the prior-year quarter due to fall in students' enrollment. On a reported basis, including one time items, earnings came in at 85 cents, down 22% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter was 91 cents.
Behind the Headline
Total active enrollment dropped 4.5% to 37,704 during the quarter. Management had earlier guided enrollment to fall by 4% to 6% in the quarter. New enrollment tumbled 9.4%, reflecting tough market conditions, changes with respect to program accreditation, and stringent admissions criteria.
The quarterly revenue of $110 million came in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate but fell 4.1% from $114.7 million in the year-ago quarter. The decline in the top line dovetails with management's guidance range of 3% to 4.5% fall. Capella now expects revenue to drop by 1% to 2% in the first quarter of 2012.
Operating income, adjusted for charges related to workforce reduction, plummeted 28.7% to $20.2 million, whereas operating margin contracted 640 basis points to 18.3%.
Capella now expects operating margin in the range of 15% to 16% in the first quarter of 2012, down from 20.2% in the first quarter of 2011, reflecting planned investments in learner success initiatives, rise in depreciation charges and expenses related to Resource Development International, acquired in July 2011.Management's target is to attain operating margins between 15% and 17% for 2012.
Enrollment Falls, Forecasts Softer Declines
We observe that Capella is witnessing a fall in enrollment. After falling 7.5% in third quarter of 2011, total active enrollment dropped 4.5% in the fourth quarter. However, Capella now projects total enrollment to decline between 5% and 6% in the first quarter of 2012. Management expects that the rate of decline in total enrollment will decelerate as the year progresses due to improvement in new enrollment.
The potential risk looming over the education sector is the regulation proposed by the Department of Education that is weighing upon students' enrollments and the company's profits. The Department of Education proposed that an educational program could only qualify for Title IV funds, if it helps in achieving gainful employment, which includes the criteria of loan repayment rate and debt-to-income ratios.
The institutions are under the scanner due to the rise in the default rate of student loans, and are now being asked to submit information relating to recruitment procedures and use of student's grant.
Capella hinted that new enrollment in the first quarter of 2012 is expected to decline marginally, following a drop of 9.4% in the fourth quarter and a fall of 36% in the first quarter of 2011, as it expects re-registration of existing apprentices to remain robust.
Capella generally focuses on working adults, and in order to draw students it is also ramping its marketing and promotional expenditures. To counter sluggishness in students' enrollment, education companies are also resorting to restructuring their cost base. The company lowered its headcount by about 63 non-faculty workforces, and for this it incurred a charge of about $1.3 million in the quarter. Management hinted that the eliminations will result in cost savings of approximately $5.2 million per year.
Other Financial Details
Capella boasts a healthy balance sheet with no debt. It ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $62 million and shareholders' equity of $162.6 million. Cash flow from operations for fiscal 2011 period was $80.3 million.
During the quarter under review, the company repurchased 775,000 shares, aggregating $25.2 million. In fiscal 2011, it bought back 2.5 million shares for a total amount of $103.4 million. Capella indicated that it has $59.6 million at its disposal under its share repurchase authorization.
Currently, we have a long-term 'Neutral' rating on the stock. However, Capella, which competes with Apollo Group Inc. ( APOL ) and Strayer Education Inc. ( STRA ), holds a Zacks #2 Rank that translates into a short-term 'Buy' recommendation, and it well defines the company's initiatives to improve students' enrollment; its diversification strategy as evident from the acquisitions of Sophia, a social teaching and learning platform and Resource Development International, an online provider of UK University qualifications by distance learning; and introduction of new products offerings and new program accreditations.
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Lower Enrollment Hurts Capella - Analyst Blog
DigICTjobs: online industry/education collaboration for next gen Digital Media and ICT professionals – Video
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Online Education is Perfect For… – Video
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Episode 6 – Case Study – The NH 90 Training.mp4 – Video
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Professional Development Resources Announces New Online Continuing Education Course on Child Abuse
Posted: at 4:28 pm
Professional Development Resources, a nationally accredited provider of continuing education (CE) to psychologists, social workers, counselors, speech-language pathologists, registered dietitians and occupational therapists, has released a new online CE course on child abuse.
Jacksonville, FL (PRWEB) February 15, 2012
Professional Development Resources has announced a new addition to its online continuing education (CE) curriculum for mental health professionals: Domestic Violence: Child Abuse and Intimate Partner Violence. The course, which is presented in two parts, is intended to help mental health professionals maintain a high state of vigilance and to be well prepared with immediate and appropriate responses when abuse is disclosed or suspected.
Part I deals with child abuse, which unfortunately remains a pervasive part of contemporary life in the United States. Recent government data indicate that in just one year in the U.S., substantiated cases of child abuse totaled over 700,000 children – about 1.3% of the population of children. To make matters worse, the long-term consequences include a wide range of serious effects, such as physical injuries, impaired brain development, behavioral disturbances, substance use disorders, and a variety of psychological disorders. In addition, there are a number of mechanisms by which children who are abused may grow up to become abusers themselves.
Child abuse can take place within the family, by a parent, stepparent, sibling or other relative; or outside the home, for example, by a friend, neighbor, childcare worker, teacher, or stranger. More than half of the perpetrators of child abuse are women, and about two-fifths are men. When abuse has occurred, a child can develop a variety of distressing feelings, thoughts and behaviors. Sadly, the most vulnerable children – those younger than 1 year of age – have the highest rate of victimization.
Another category of abuse that should not be overlooked is bullying, which generally happens at school, and can include emotional aggression, such as name-calling and exclusion from groups. Teachers and other adults may be at least partially aware of what is going on but do not intervene. Certain children can be at higher risk of being bullied by virtue of being different in some way. For example, children may be more likely to be bullied if they are: new at school, overweight, delayed or disabled and/or homosexual. A contemporary extension of the concept is cyber-bullying, in which the aggressive behaviors can extend to harassment via electronic communication media like email, texting, and social networking sites.
“It is critical that mental healthcare providers appreciate the potential for any child to be a victim and any adult to be a perpetrator,” says Leo Christie, PhD, president of Professional Development Resources and the author of the new course. “Although there may be some signs and symptoms, there is no victim or perpetrator profile that can serve as a reliable predictor of risk for any given child. In other words, there is no simple universal presentation of children who have been abused. We – as health professionals – simply have to be vigilant and prepared to take immediate and appropriate steps at any time.”
In all 50 states, reporting suspected child abuse is mandated by law. In some states, specific professions like health care workers, psychotherapists, teachers, daycare center workers, and law enforcement officers are named as mandatory reporters. In addition, all mandatory reporting laws use intentionally vague descriptors of the level of concern or certainty the reporter must have in order to initiate a report. Some laws specify “cause to believe…” or “suspect…” in order to achieve the threshold for reporting. However, any individual who suspects a child is being abused can report it by calling the National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453.
About Professional Development Resources, Inc.
Professional Development Resources is a Florida nonprofit educational corporation founded in 1992 by licensed marriage and family therapist Leo Christie, PhD. The company, which is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) – as well as many other national and state boards – has focused its efforts on making continuing education courses more cost-effective and widely accessible to health professionals by offering online home study coursework. Its current expanded curriculum includes a wide variety of clinical topics intended to equip health professionals to offer state-of-the art services to their clients.
Contact:
Leo Christie, PhD, CEO
Professional Development Resources, Inc.
904-645-3456
###
Leo Christie, PhD
Professional Development Resources
(904) 645-3456
Email Information
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Professional Development Resources Announces New Online Continuing Education Course on Child Abuse
New Online Conference: Eye On School Success
Posted: at 4:28 pm
LARCHMONT, N.Y., Feb. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Eye On Education announces its premier Online Conference: Eye On School Success, to be held March 20 – 21, 2012. The virtual conference is organized by themed tracks which focus on specific interest areas in education including: leadership, student motivation, and the Common Core State Standards. The complete conference schedule is available.
The conference will kick off with an opening keynote by internationally renowned expert on teacher motivation, Todd Whitaker. Individual sessions cover a variety of topics including teacher effectiveness and teacher evaluation, motivational leadership, student engagement, battling boredom, increasing rigor, teaching writing with technology, raising the level of class discussions, how to understand and implement the CCSS, and more. Concurrent sessions will be broadcast live during the two-day event. In addition, all sessions will be archived and available to attendees for three months after the conference.
Session presenters are leading experts in education today and include: Amy Benjamin, Laura Billings, Barbara Blackburn, Vicki Davis, Larry Ferlazzo, Pete Hall, Bryan Harris, Shawn Joseph, Terry Roberts, Pamela Salazar, James Stronge, Nancy Sulla, Jeanne Tribuzzi, Heather Wolpert-Gawron, and Sally Zepeda.
Eye On School Success attendees will benefit from a highly interactive and engaging program that will deliver professional development solutions to help achieve success in your classroom and school. "We are providing a convenient and inexpensive venue for educators to engage in professional learning, interact with national experts, and communicate with other teachers and leaders from all over the country who have similar interests and challenges. And without the need to leave the comfort of their homes or offices," says Robert Sickles, Eye On Education President and Publisher.
About Eye On Education
Founded in 1992, Eye On Education is an independent and innovative provider of books and other resources for teachers, principals, and administrators, providing educators with practical information on professional development, educational leadership, school improvement, student assessment, data analysis, teaching skills, and other related topics.
Contact:
Meryl Salerno, Marketing Department
msalerno@eyeoneducation.com
(888) 299-5350
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New Online Conference: Eye On School Success
Lower Enrollment Hurts Capella
Posted: at 4:28 pm
Capella Education Company (NasdaqGS:CPLA - News), the provider of online education, recently delivered fourth-quarter 2011 earnings of 91 cents a share that dropped 16.5% from $1.09 earned in the prior-year quarter due to fall in students’ enrollment. On a reported basis, including one time items, earnings came in at 85 cents, down 22% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter was 91 cents.
Behind the Headline
Total active enrollment dropped 4.5% to 37,704 during the quarter. Management had earlier guided enrollment to fall by 4% to 6% in the quarter. New enrollment tumbled 9.4%, reflecting tough market conditions, changes with respect to program accreditation, and stringent admissions criteria.
The quarterly revenue of $110 million came in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate but fell 4.1% from $114.7 million in the year-ago quarter. The decline in the top line dovetails with management’s guidance range of 3% to 4.5% fall. Capella now expects revenue to drop by 1% to 2% in the first quarter of 2012.
Operating income, adjusted for charges related to workforce reduction, plummeted 28.7% to $20.2 million, whereas operating margin contracted 640 basis points to 18.3%.
Capella now expects operating margin in the range of 15% to 16% in the first quarter of 2012, down from 20.2% in the first quarter of 2011, reflecting planned investments in learner success initiatives, rise in depreciation charges and expenses related to Resource Development International, acquired in July 2011.Management’s target is to attain operating margins between 15% and 17% for 2012.
Enrollment Falls, Forecasts Softer Declines
We observe that Capella is witnessing a fall in enrollment. After falling 7.5% in third quarter of 2011, total active enrollment dropped 4.5% in the fourth quarter. However, Capella now projects total enrollment to decline between 5% and 6% in the first quarter of 2012. Management expects that the rate of decline in total enrollment will decelerate as the year progresses due to improvement in new enrollment.
The potential risk looming over the education sector is the regulation proposed by the Department of Education that is weighing upon students’ enrollments and the company’s profits. The Department of Education proposed that an educational program could only qualify for Title IV funds, if it helps in achieving gainful employment, which includes the criteria of loan repayment rate and debt-to-income ratios.
The institutions are under the scanner due to the rise in the default rate of student loans, and are now being asked to submit information relating to recruitment procedures and use of student’s grant.
Capella hinted that new enrollment in the first quarter of 2012 is expected to decline marginally, following a drop of 9.4% in the fourth quarter and a fall of 36% in the first quarter of 2011, as it expects re-registration of existing apprentices to remain robust.
Capella generally focuses on working adults, and in order to draw students it is also ramping its marketing and promotional expenditures. To counter sluggishness in students’ enrollment, education companies are also resorting to restructuring their cost base. The company lowered its headcount by about 63 non-faculty workforces, and for this it incurred a charge of about $1.3 million in the quarter. Management hinted that the eliminations will result in cost savings of approximately $5.2 million per year.
Other Financial Details
Capella boasts a healthy balance sheet with no debt. It ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $62 million and shareholders’ equity of $162.6 million. Cash flow from operations for fiscal 2011 period was $80.3 million.
During the quarter under review, the company repurchased 775,000 shares, aggregating $25.2 million. In fiscal 2011, it bought back 2.5 million shares for a total amount of $103.4 million. Capella indicated that it has $59.6 million at its disposal under its share repurchase authorization.
Currently, we have a long-term ‘Neutral’ rating on the stock. However, Capella, which competes with Apollo Group Inc. (NasdaqGS:APOL - News) and Strayer Education Inc. (NasdaqGS:STRA - News), holds a Zacks #2 Rank that translates into a short-term ‘Buy’ recommendation, and it well defines the company’s initiatives to improve students’ enrollment; its diversification strategy as evident from the acquisitions of Sophia, a social teaching and learning platform and Resource Development International, an online provider of UK University qualifications by distance learning; and introduction of new products offerings and new program accreditations.
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Lower Enrollment Hurts Capella
Military Spouses Discover How MIlitary-Friendly an Online School Can Be
Posted: at 4:28 pm
As more and more military spouses discover the many advantages of an online education, choosing an online military-friendly school that fits the student’s personal and educational needs is key. Online schools like Ashworth College can provide them with accredited programs that can be funded by their education benefit programs, like MyCAA.
Peachtree Corners, Georgia (PRWEB) February 15, 2012
It’s a fact -- over 6.1 million students enrolled in at least one online course during the fall 2010 term, an increase of 560,000 students over the previous year (Sloan Consortium).So it’s no surprise that military spouses seek out like Ashworth College (http://www.ashworthcollege.edu/) to provide them with accredited online schools programs that can be funded by education benefit programs like MyCAA.
As more and more military spouses discover the many advantages of an online education, choosing an online military-friendly school that fits the student’s personal and educational needs is key.
"We always recommend spouses look for a school that offers exactly what they need by matching their goals and how they fit into their lifestyle,” said Rodney Butler, U.S. Army First Sergeant, Retired and Ashworth College Military Education Coordinator. "There are many fine schools out there and taking the time to find one that meets most of a spouse’s needs will pay off in the long run.”
If a spouse does their homework before enrolling, they will find that online schools can offer flexibility, convenience and tuition prices that fit well within military education benefit guidelines. An online school can allow you to:
"At Ashworth, it’s our mission to ensure that our programs meet the needs of all those with military affiliations, particularly military spouses,” Butler added. “Our accredited degree programs are under $100 dollars per credit hour, compared to similar schools that push theirs as high as $250 per credit hour. With zero out of pocket costs, it’s common for a military spouse to earn an Ashworth career diploma, certificate or degree using only MyCAA benefits.”
So, which online school is right for you?
The military advisors at Ashworth College recommend that prospective student do some homework by researching schools and asking the following questions in these important areas:
Affordability
How does tuition and fees compare with other schools? Are there extra student fees such as enrollment, application, registration, processing, withdrawal/transfer, or lab fees? Is there a textbook allowance? If not, find out the added cost. Can the school help you secure military education benefits? Can they help you claim up to $4,000 in MyCAA benefits or help you take advantage of Post 9/11 dependent’s benefits? How generous is their credit transfer policy? Do they offer credit for work/life experience? Transferring credits means that you could be closer to your degree than you think, saving you plenty of time and money! Do they offer special financing and/or low, interest-free monthly payment plans? How much student debt will you have at graduation?
Programs
Are their programs nationally accredited? Would they be classified as a “diploma mills”? To meet your career goals, do they offer the programs you’re looking for? How many credits are required for a degree? Can you transfer in credits earned at other schools?
Convenience and Support
Do they offer flexible scheduling? Is there frequent class starts and 24/7 online access? Are they Military-friendly? Do they have Military Advisors who understand all your available military education benefits? Do they have the ability to guide you one-on-one, all the way from enrollment to graduation? What type of tutoring and instructor assistance do they offer? Do they have their own social network? How do students connect with student services, other students, instructors, tutors and alumni?
An Advocate for Military Education
For nearly 25 years, Ashworth has made it possible for military personnel, veterans and military spouses to further their careers by earning accredited, affordable career diplomas and college degrees. As an online school, Ashworth programs can be completed anywhere in the world.
A Servicemember Opportunity Colleges Consortium (SOC) member school, Ashworth accepts ACE credits and is approved for a range of other military benefits including Post 9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, GoArmyEd, and MyCAA.
A Yellow Ribbon School, Ashworth has been further recognized as a military friendly school by both G.I. Jobs and Military Advanced Education magazines. The online school also supports a campus chapter of the Student Veteran’s Association and was a sponsor of Military Spouse magazine’s 2010 and 2011 Military Spouse of the Year Award programs.
About Ashworth College
As leading online school, Ashworth College has built a tradition of excellence spanning 25 years, offering students worldwide more than 115 online college degrees, online certificate programs and online high school diploma options that are affordable and fit the busy schedules of working adults. Ashworth offers military education as well as specialized programs for corporate partners and homeschoolers.
Headquartered in Peachtree Corners, GA, Ashworth is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The Accrediting Commission of the DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. James Madison High School is further accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). For more information, visit http://www.ashworthcollege.edu/.
###
Richard Orr
Ashworth College
770-729-8400
Email Information
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Military Spouses Discover How MIlitary-Friendly an Online School Can Be
The Center for Professional Innovation & Education, Inc. (CfPIE) And ClearPoint Launch Online Compliance Training …
Posted: at 4:28 pm
The Center for Professional Innovation & Education, Inc. (CfPIE), the global leader in pharmaceutical, medical device and biotech training for life science professionals, in partnership with ClearPoint - the global authority on interactive health education for the life sciences industry - have developed an unrivaled suite of online compliance training courses that combine top-quality content and user convenience.
MALVERN, PA (PRWEB) February 15, 2012
The Center for Professional Innovation & Education, Inc. (CfPIE), the global leader in pharmaceutical, medical device and biotech training for life science professionals, in partnership with ClearPoint - the global authority on interactive health education for the life sciences industry - have developed an unrivaled suite of online compliance training courses that combine top-quality content and user convenience.
CfPIE has launched the following five online course titles initially, and will add several more over the coming months:
Unlike most online training, CfPIE’s on-demand courses combine unparalleled interactivity, knowledge checks and real-life case studies. Expert avatars appear throughout each course to provide timely feedback, and a final assessment allows users to measure what they have learned. Additionally, CfPIE utilizes proprietary DocuLearn™ technology, which produces a printable summary of the course complete with the user’s personalized notes, answers to reflection questions, a glossary of terms, helpful job aids and much more. DocuLearn™ also serves as valuable documentation of training.
Online Training Courses are 21 CFR Part 11 Compliant
Furthermore, all courses reside on a 21 CFR Part 11 compliant Learning Management System (LMS) and are available as individual courses or can be customized and delivered at an enterprise level for groups, sites or entire firms. Each online course is SCORM compliant, allowing them to reside on any internal LMS.
CfPIE’s new online pharmaceutical training courses fit under their new “Total Learning™” model, which allows learners to choose the training method which is right for them. “Total Learning™” includes online courses, classroom courses and “blended learning,” which combines the convenience of online training with the detail of the classroom. The pinnacle of the “Total Learning™” experience is a full industry-recognized professional certification, of which CfPIE offers nine certification programs.
“With the streamlining of the industry, and the increasing stringency of FDA and international regulations, firms are left with difficult choices when training their staff.” says Mark Mazzie, Managing Director of CfPIE. “While traditional classroom training offers robust content and the ability to interact, many firms do not have the budget to send people off-site. Conversely, more affordable online training options have been sorely lacking in quality…often consisting of nothing more than a glorified slide deck presentation. CfPIE’s ‘Total Learning™’ concept has flexible learning options for all needs and budgets, offering the highest quality and the best overall value.”
It was the recognition of these shortcomings in online course quality that led CfPIE to ClearPoint, who, with over 1,000 implementations in ten years, holds a solid track record of learning technology solutions developed specifically for adult learners in highly regulated industries.
As ClearPoint CEO Philip McCrea explains, “Matching our expertise in learning technology solutions with CfPIE’s industry-leading content enables us to keep pace with the needs of today’s learners in order to improve overall business performance, and protect the best interests of life sciences companies. Moreover, through this new breed of online compliance training, organizations can easily, and instantly, add a broad range of much-needed education to their enterprises without incurring any capital investments and with zero conflicts to their existing technology infrastructures.”
For more information, visit http://www.cfpie.com to view a brief online course demo, and read more about training options.
About The Center for Professional Innovation & Education, Inc. (CfPIE):
The Center for Professional Innovation & Education, Inc. (CfPIE) is the global leader in accredited training for Pharmaceutical, Biotech, Medical Device and Skin/Cosmetics personnel. Leading industry experts conduct over 270 public courses and an equal amount of customized on-site training programs annually. Class sizes are limited to ensure individual needs are fully addressed. From discovery through commercialization, CfPIE has the training curriculum to advance your staff, keep your firm compliant and improve your bottom line. For more information about CfPIE’s full suite of training products, please visit http://www.cfpie.com.
About ClearPoint:
ClearPoint, a global authority in interactive health education, provides learning solutions to the world’s leading life sciences companies. With more than 1,000 successful implementations in ten years, the company creates on-demand, multi-channel tools to enable sales, marketing, and compliance professionals to grow their brands, increase clinical competencies, comply with regulations, and enhance relationships with health care providers.
The global ClearPoint team of 175 employees has its headquarters in Hoboken, N.J. and operates from offices in the U.S., Europe and Asia. For more information about ClearPoint, please visit: http://www.clearpointlearning.com
###
Bill Beyer
CfPIE
610-688-1708 224
Email Information
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The Center for Professional Innovation & Education, Inc. (CfPIE) And ClearPoint Launch Online Compliance Training ...
The Best in approved Online Training! – Video
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The Best in approved Online Training! - Video