Proposed Changes In State Oversight Of Private Postsecondary And Vocational Education Working Paper Wp PDF Download

California has close to 2,000 privately owned schools that offer vocational programs not leading to a degree. These include schools providing training and certification for a wide variety of careers in such areas as computer technology, cosmetology, health care, and other business and technical occupations. In addition, there are over 300 privately owned colleges and universities that award degrees. These private schools and colleges are generally referred to as "state-approved" private institutions. They are regulated by the Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE) and may or may not be accredited. They are distinct from the colleges and universities that are commonly referred to as "independent." Independent colleges and universities are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and are not regulated by the BPPVE. It is widely recognized that the state's program for regulation of private postsecondary and vocational education is unsatisfactory. Some 13 reviews, reports and audits have been conducted in the past eight years to examine deficiencies in the program, the reasons for them, and possible solutions. Major problems exist in the structural framework of the law and the disparate sets of rules that govern different categories of institutions. In 2004, legislation was passed appointing an independent Operations Monitor to assess the Bureau's operations. In September 2005, the Monitor released a report with recommendations addressing problems in statutory, operational, and financial areas. The Operations Monitor's Report contains 77 recommendations for improving the oversight of private postsecondary and vocational education. Major problem areas lie in the structural framework of the law, the funding mechanisms, approval requirements and processes, and enforcement. This working paper provides examples of specific recommendations contained in the report.