Accessibility in distance ed
The Chronicle of Higher Education: Colloquy
I used to work at Capella; I've also worked at Walden University (where many of Capella's founders came from). They're certainly not diploma mills - the coursework is comprehensive and rigorous.
Ed's point - that some people just shouldn't do some things - is unsettling, but valid. The FAA doesn't let just anybody get a pilot's license. If you have a history of heart problems or spontaneous unconciousness, they're not going to let you fly.
Working at a community college, I see a lot of students who frankly aren't "college material." I also see a lot of students who could be successful with a little help and encouragement. Given how hard it is to raise a family on the income available to folks with no college education, shouldn't we do everything we can to help students succeed?