Concerned

[tkdan]

I'm stating to question a few changes being made at my school. First thing is they've went to a half belt system. Insteat of green to blue a person test for green/blue then later for solid blue. They did lower the belt test fees and they have the test at closer intervals. The reasoning is that the kids have a hard time absorbing all of the requirements at once. I can kind of see the point and I'm trying not to jump to conclusions. The other thing is they have raised tuition twice in less tha a year. They had been at the same price forever so I could see going up to be equal to other schools in the area. I worry that twice in such a short time is going run people off. I just think it is a bad business decision.

[NewEnglands_KyoSa]

I'm stating to question a few changes being made at my school. First thing is they've went to a half belt system. Insteat of green to blue a person test for green/blue then later for solid blue. They did lower the belt test fees and they have the test at closer intervals. The reasoning is that the kids have a hard time absorbing all of the requirements at once. I can kind of see the point and I'm trying not to jump to conclusions. The other thing is they have raised tuition twice in less tha a year. They had been at the same price forever so I could see going up to be equal to other schools in the area. I worry that twice in such a short time is going run people off. I just think it is a bad business decision.

well if you don't mind me asking...exactly how much was it raised the both times, and what did it start at? and the belt thing, is understandable for children, but i certainly hope they did not apply that to adults.

[bushido_man96]

Hopefully, they don't raise it anymore on you. Who knows, maybe the rent went up.

As for the belts, I think that perhaps they should have done it only for the kids, but it may not matter in the end.

Keep an eye on things, and see if they make any other changes.

[tkdan]

I have not seen the belt thing being applied to adults except in cases where they don't come often and as a result don't know the material. As for the prices it is not that they went up twice they had two different price increases. The first increase was for the standard month to month with two lessons a week. Now that I look at it the increase was minimal. The other thing is we had a Black Belt Club that was $59 a month with up to four classes a week. Which was very cheap comared to other school. This is where the major change took place. It was renamed the leadership team and they added a extra class so you get up to five classes a week at a price of $130 a month. It does not affect me because I was locked into the original price. I'm only concerned that such a large increase will scare people away.

[NewEnglands_KyoSa]

I have not seen the belt thing being applied to adults except in cases where they don't come often and as a result don't know the material. As for the prices it is not that they went up twice they had two different price increases. The first increase was for the standard month to month with two lessons a week. Now that I look at it the increase was minimal. The other thing is we had a Black Belt Club that was $59 a month with up to four classes a week. Which was very cheap comared to other school. This is where the major change took place. It was renamed the leadership team and they added a extra class so you get up to five classes a week at a price of $130 a month. It does not affect me because I was locked into the original price. I'm only concerned that such a large increase will scare people away.

you're right, the other things aren't so bad at all until you get to the price of your new 'leadership club'. but i would speak to your instructor about it and tell him(respectfully) that you think it would scare people away at 130 a pop. maybe he'll agree.

[bushido_man96]

Yeah, that is quite high. It sounds like you attend an ATA school. Is this the case?

[ninjanurse]

Wow..that is a big jump in price! I am thinking of raising my rates (I am the least expensive around) 10% this year and seeing the response. I hate to out-price those who cannot afford even a few more dollars a month but do need to meet my financial commitments. As far as the half-belts go I have no gut reaction that it is a bad thing....in todays society "instant gratification" drives many decisions to stick with something and it may help retention. It can also be good for those students who learn at a slower rate or become easily overwhelmed with curriculum-especially younger kids.

[pegasi]

If the "half belts" don't change the overall number of ranks between white and first dan, then I don't see a big deal, but if the number of "levels" to go through - and pay to test for - increases from 10 to 15 or more, I'd be worried about it being more of a money making change.

Most styles seem to have 10 levels from white belt to first dan, regardless of the color scheme that the school uses. Some schools use a taped stripe on a solid color belt for "half ranks" when a person tests but manages to just barely pass, versus pass all requirements in full measure. The "half ranks" seem to be often used to indicate progress has been made, but not enough to be fully the next level. To me it seems to be more of a self-esteem thing versus a true rank.

[bushido_man96]

We had the stripe systems at one time. We referred to it as "recommended" or "decided" rank. When lining up, the "decided" rank had seniority.

[DWx]

We break down the earlier belts for the kids, but the test fees added together work out to be the same for the whole belt so you still pay the same. I think with small children its better to do the testing a little bit at a time but more regularly.