In an effort to reach more students and link them with basic skill sets that will transfer into the workplace the Obama administration is drafting the framework on a program that would offer online classes to both high school and community college students for free!  The courses, owned by the government, would be free for anyone to take with the school(s) receiving federal funding.

The program w0uld support 20-25 high quality courses per year.  The courses would be “modular” or “object based” such that they would be “interoperable” and could be offered with a variety of technology platforms.

Proponents will point to the fact that you need a computer and an internet connection to enroll in the free classes, but libraries around the country offer computer access, albeit at 1-hour increments, with internet access for free.  Additionally, for those who can not afford the cost of education this will serve as the most affordable alternative.  Instead of investing money in tuition and books you’d only have a one time computer purchase to worry about.