Job Discussion Forums

SaharaDesert · Joined: 05 Nov 2008 Posts: 260

What is the latest update on the new collaboration between IAT and Kaplan ?

Does anyone who works for Kaplan at one of the IAT schools care to share how the Kaplan program is doing over there ?

xckute · Joined: 29 Oct 2010 Posts: 5

Not a reply - a reiteration of the original request.

Would be really greateful for any info on the collaboration and an update on working for the IAT more generally.

Feel free to PM me.

Cheers

BrownSauce · Joined: 31 Dec 2008 Posts: 87 Location: Fantasy Island

A pal of mine pointed out their advert for teaching staff, on this site I believe, and I quipped that their nickname was 'Kraplan' - which should give an indication of the reputation in teaching circles, I guess.

Yet the salary conditions didn't look too bad, so perhaps my judgement was too hasty. However, whenever large private teaching organisations get involved in the ME, it never really results in any benefits for the teachers.

So I think we should keep an eye on this one and see how it all develops. But I must confess to having my initial doubts.

SaharaDesert · Joined: 05 Nov 2008 Posts: 260

Brownsauce-

Are you "actually" working for IAT in the UAE right now ?

If so, can you can expand on what you mean by "Krapland" ?

If you are not working there currently, I wonder how you can speculate on anything about the place ?

Just wondering....

johnslat · Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 12:17 am Post subject:

Dear SaharaDessert,

If BrownSauce isn't working there, speculation may be all he/she CAN do.

"Form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence."

Regards,
John

SaharaDesert · Joined: 05 Nov 2008 Posts: 260

Good point John....I am hoping someone will reply in this forum with evidence and not theory!

Gus Barkley · Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Posts: 78

I know nothing about IAT, but I am a survivor from five years of working for Kaplan, err, I mean former employee.

On the positive side, they are ruthlessly efficient. Those who are dead weight will be out quickly. On the negative side, pretty much every negative thing I've read on this board for two years about HCT can be applied to Kaplan.

Gulezar · Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 483

Aren't they mainly test prep people? They get students ready for SATs and such, right?

Gus Barkley · Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Posts: 78

That's a completely separate division of Kaplan in the US. The larger division is 70+ for profit colleges. Most do not have the "Kaplan" name but soon will. They smartly purchased colleges with ACM (aka The Higher Learning Commission) accreditation and transferred their flag. As they roll over the new acquisitions to the Kaplan brand they will be accredited by a decent accrediting agency.

If I haven't mentioned this before... they are owned by the Washington Post. As the newspaper loses money, more and more pressure is placed on Kaplan to make larger profits.

Working for Kaplan is the equivalent of professional factory work. If you put your head down, don't make waves, don't take anything personally and try not to care about your students you can make it there.

Gus Barkley · Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Posts: 78

The New York Times ran an interesting piece this week on Kaplan. As someone who has followed this closely there's not much that is new, but it's a good summary for those considering to work for the organization.

Here's the link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/10/education/10kaplan.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=kaplan&st=cse

I have three comments:
1. I have heard stories from colleagues that back up every claim in the article... although I never personally received any pressure to pass anyone.
2. As bad as Kaplan is, it is one of the better players in the for profit arena. How do I know? Working with people who came from the other for profit colleges. All were stunned by how professional Kaplan was. My reaction: Really?
3. Kaplan is owned by the Washington Post. Undoubtedly, the reason to go after Kaplan as opposed to DeVry, U of Pheonix or other for profit colleges has a lot to do with newspaper rivalry. Kaplan has problems but if the NYT wanted to go for the glory there's easier, lower hanging fruit.

Incedere · Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 58

I can definitely see a need for an institute like this. The IAT/Kaplan collaboration will be useful in filling a need in the way that other institutes do.

HCT, for example, has a foundation programme designed to bring incoming students up to a sufficient enough level that they can handle college level courses.

IAT has been tasked by the government with generating the engineers and scientists who will staff the nuclear energy program. As much as the IAT high schools have done to accelerate their curriculum to bring their Emirati students up to international standards in math and science, the learning deficit in these subjects begins long before they arrived at IAT. I have seen students entering IAT at a grade 5 or 6 level of math and science, and by grade 12 they are studying calculus and advanced physics. They struggle, which is understandable, but over their three (soon four) years, they make a huge leap.

But it still is not enough. This is where Kaplan comes in. For students to transition successfully into the Al Ain International Aviation Academy, the new Abu Dhabi Polytechnic University, or even Khalifa University, at the academic level they need to be at, there needs to be an appropriate stepping stone.

From what I have heard, Kaplan will be associated with IAT, but this will be an IAT institution, with IAT management, policies, and procedures. Kaplan will provide the curriculum, and most likely a few consultants, but the staff who join will be IAT staff.