Public Notice of Probation as of December 9, 2010
The following institutions are currently on Probation as directed by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Institutions that appear on a previous list but not here have had the Probation Order vacated. A summary of the reasons for Probation for each institution follows this list. The specific accreditation standards cited in this document are available for review by downloading the Standards of Accreditation from ACCSC’s website1.
PROBATION ORDER ISSUED - NEW
School School # City State Effective Date Next Review
Professional Massage Training
Center MS 070395 Springfield MS Dec-2010 May-2011
The Hairstyling Institute of
Charlotte MS 001291 Charlotte NC Dec-2010 Feb-2011
Universal Technology College
of Puerto Rico MS 070329 Aguadilla PR Dec-2010 May-2011
PROBATION ORDER ISSUED - CONTINUED
School School # City State Effective Date Next Review
Westwood College-Denver
North MS 000223 Denver CO Aug-10 Feb-2011
What does Probation mean?
In cases where the Commission has reason to believe that a school is not in compliance with accreditation standards and other requirements, the Commission may, at its discretion, place a school on Probation. A school subject to a Probation Order will be required to demonstrate corrective action and compliance with accrediting standards.
The Commission may require a school to submit Commission-directed reports and receive on-site evaluation teams in conjunction with a Probation Order. Failure to demonstrate compliance with accrediting standards or other accrediting requirements by the end of the probationary period may result in the school being removed from the accredited list.
When a Probation Order is directed, a written notice is sent promptly to the school. The notice: 1. States fully the reasons why the Probation Order was issued;
2. Identifies the standard and other accreditation requirements with which the school may not be in compliance;
3. Explains the reasons and cite the evidence indicating that the school may not be in compliance with accreditation requirements; and
4. Advises the school of its obligations under the Probation Order and the deadline for response. ACCSC’s Rules of Process and Procedure require a school subject to a Probation Order to inform current and prospective students that the school has been placed on Probation and that additional information regarding that action can be obtained from the Commission’s website2. A summary of the Probation Order is made public via the Commission’s website2 in accordance with Section VII (L)(7), Rules of Process and Procedure, Standards of Accreditation.
1
http://accsc.org/documents/Standards_of_Accreditation_and_Bylaws_-__070110web.pdf
2
Disclosure of Commission Action
Professional Massage Training Center Probation Order December 9, 2010
Page 2 of 2
DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION ACTION
SUMMARY OF GROUNDS FOR PROBATION ACTION
DECEMBER 9, 2010
WESTWOOD COLLEGE-DENVER NORTH
7350 NORTH BROADWAY
DENVER, COLORADO 80221
According to Section X (D)(2), Rules of Process and Procedure, Standards of Accreditation, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (“ACCSC” or “the Commission”), at the same time it notifies the school, will make public a decision to place a school on Probation and provide a summary of the reasons why a school is placed on Probation.
Westwood College-Denver North located in Denver, Colorado has been placed on Probation by the Commission for the reasons summarized below. The Probation Order and the school’s response will be reviewed by the Commission at its February 2011 meeting.
Summary of Grounds for Probation:
1. Westwood College-Denver North must demonstrate rates of student achievement that comply with accreditation requirements and meet specified benchmarks with regard to student graduation and graduate employment (Section VII (B)(1)(b), Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation).
2. Westwood College-Denver North must demonstrate the proper management and administrative oversight with regard to the school’s branch campus, Westwood-Houston South, Houston, Texas (Section VIII (B),
Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation). Accreditation standards require that a main school is
responsible and accountable to the Commission for its separate facilities, that the main school is ultimately responsible and accountable for compliance with accrediting standards by its separate facilities, and accreditation of the main school requires adherence to accrediting standards by its separate facilities. Westwood College-Denver North must demonstrate compliance with the Texas Workforce Commission for its Westwood College-Houston South campus and that school’s pending State of Texas license/authorization.
3. Westwood College-Denver North must provide documentation with regard to any pending or unresolved student complaints and the status of these as well documentation to support that the school is adhering to its prescribed policies and procedures to address and resolve complaints (Section VI (D)(1), Substantive
Standards, Standards of Accreditation). In addition, Westwood College-Denver North must submit
documentation to address any current or pending lawsuits or legal proceedings filed against Westwood, affiliated schools, or the parent company, Alta Colleges, Inc. and the impact, if any, affecting school policies, staff, curricula, reputation, and legal or financial status (Section V (E)(1)Rules of Process and
Procedure, Standards of Accreditation).
4. Westwood College-Denver North must demonstrate that the school and its ACCSC-accredited affiliated institutions comply with accrediting standards in the areas of student recruitment (Section IV, Substantive
Standards, Standards of Accreditation).
5. Westwood College-Denver North must demonstrate that the school and its ACCSC-accredited affiliated institutions comply with accrediting standards in the areas of advertising and promotion (Section IV (D),
DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION ACTION
SUMMARY OF GROUNDS FOR PROBATION ACTION
DECEMBER 9, 2010
PROFESSIONAL MASSAGE TRAINING CENTER
229 EAST COMMERCIAL STREET
SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI 65803
SCHOOL #M070395
Pursuant to Section X (D)(2), Rules of Process and Procedure, Standards of Accreditation, the
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (“ACCSC” or “the Commission”), at
the same time it notifies the school, will make public a decision to place a school on Probation
and provide a summary of the reasons why a school is placed on Probation.
Professional Massage Training Center located in Springfield, Missouri has been placed on
Probation by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (“ACCSC” or “the
Commission”) for the reasons summarized below. The Probation Order and the school’s
response will be reviewed by the Commission at the May 2011 meeting.
Summary of Grounds for Probation:
1. PMTC must demonstrate that the institution has adequate management and administrative
capacity in place that includes full-time on-site supervision by an individual or team with the
appropriate combination of education, experience, and demonstrated ability to lead and
manage a post-secondary educational institution (Section I (A)(1), Substantive Standards,
Standards of Accreditation).
2. PMTC must demonstrate that the financial structure of the school is sound, with resources sufficient for the proper operation of the school and the discharge of obligations to students (Section I (C)(1), Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation). Financial statements must be prepared in accordance with generally acceptable accounting principals, the ACCSC Instructions for the Preparation and Submission of Financial Statements and Related Information, and all applicable federal, state, ad local requirements.
3. PMTC must demonstrate that the school maintains compliance with all applicable federal
requirements (Section I (D)(2)(d), Rules of Process and Procedure, Standards of
Accreditation). The school must demonstrate compliance with the U.S. Department of
Education and the current Heightened Cash Monitoring 2 (“HCM2”) status.
4. PMTC must demonstrate that the school is in compliance with all applicable federal requirements (Section I (D)(2)(d) Rules of Process and Procedure, Standards of Accreditation). The school must demonstrate compliance with regard to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights and the pending Resolution Agreement.
5. PMTC must demonstrate that the school engages in ongoing institutional assessment and improvement activities and planning appropriate to the size and scale of school operations and that includes goal setting, benchmarking, and implementation activities in all areas as required by Section
Disclosure of Commission Action
Professional Massage Training Center Probation Order December 9, 2010
Page 2 of 2
I (B), Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation. Accrediting standards require that these activities complement the school’s operations, support the management and administration of the school, as well as support the education provided by the school.
6. PMTC must demonstrate that the school’s faculty improvement plan is comprehensive and contains specific goals and that the school’s faculty members engage in ongoing development of teaching skills as part of the school’s plan for faculty improvement (Section III (A)(2) & (B)(4), Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation). Accrediting standards require that a school’s faculty must engage in ongoing development of teaching skills as part of the school’s plan for faculty improvement.
7. PMTC must demonstrate that the school provides continuity of instruction through the reasonable retention of the educational administrative staff and faculty (Section III (A)(3), Substantive Standards). Accrediting standards require schools to retain a strong and experienced faculty that is continually attentive to the needs of the students and sufficient in number for the instructional programs offered by the school.
8. PMTC must demonstrate that the school’s admissions decisions are based on fair, effective, and consistently applied criteria that enable the school to make an informed judgment as to an applicant’s ability to achieve the program’s objectives and that these criteria are in compliance with applicable state requirements (Section V, Statement of Purpose, Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation and Section (I) (D)(2)(d) Rules of Process and Procedure, Standards of Accreditation). Accrediting standards require that the school inform each applicant, prior to admissions, of the requirements for admissions.
9. PMTC must demonstrate that the school’s PAC members possess the appropriate skill-set and qualifications to serve on the PAC Committee, that the school maintains written and detailed minutes of each Program Advisory Committee (“PAC”) meeting including a description of all members in attendance (i.e., titles and affiliations); the date, time, and location of the meeting; and a comprehensive and clear description of the review of and commentary made by the school representatives and the Program Advisory Committee members, and evidence to support that the school gives consideration to the recommendations of the PAC (Section II (A)(5)(a)(d)(f), Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation).
10. PMTC must demonstrate that the school’s Learning Resource System (“LRS”) meets accrediting standards as required by Section II (A)(6), Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation. Accrediting standards require that a school maintains written policies and procedures for the on-going development of the LRS with documentation to include a line-item budget and a description of the expenditures to support the operations of the LRS and the student body served.
11. PMTC must demonstrate that the school verifies prior work experience of all faculty
members employed (Section III (B)(4), Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation).
Accrediting standards require that a school verify prior (faculty) work experience to
determine that the faculty is appropriate and suitable for the instructional programs offered
by the school.
DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION ACTION
SUMMARY OF GROUNDS FOR PROBATION ACTION
DECEMBER 9, 2010
HAIRSTYLING INSTITUTE OF CHARLOTTE
209 B SOUTH KINGS DRIVE
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA 28204
SCHOOL #M001291
Pursuant to Section X (D)(2), Rules of Process and Procedure, Standards of Accreditation, the
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (“ACCSC” or “the Commission”), at
the same time it notifies the school, will make public a decision to place a school on Probation
and provide a summary of the reasons why a school is placed on Probation.
Hairstyling Institute of Charlotte located in Charlotte, North Carolina has been placed on
Probation by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges for the reasons
summarized below. The Probation Order and the school’s response will be reviewed by the
Commission at its February 2011 meeting.
Summary of Grounds for Probation:
1. HIC must demonstrate the proper and adequate management and administrative capacity of the school (Section I (A), Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation).
2. HIC must demonstrate that the school has appropriate administrative and operational policies and procedures as required by Section I (A)(1)(d), Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation. 3. HIC must demonstrate that the school maintains verifiable records of each graduate’s initial
employment (Section VI (C)(3), Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation).
4. HIC must demonstrate that there are a sufficient number of faculty members to serve the
number of students enrolled in the Barber/Styling program (Section III (B)(1), Substantive
Standards, Standards of Accreditation).
5. HIC must demonstrate that the school is engaging in ongoing institutional assessment and
improvement activities and planning appropriate to the size and scale of school operations
and that these activities include goal setting, benchmarking, and implementation activities in
all areas as required by Section I (B), Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation.
6. HIC must demonstrate that the school’s Learning Resource System (“LRS”) meets
accrediting standards as required by Section II (A)(6), Substantive Standards, Standards of
Accreditation.
7. HIC must demonstrate that the school maintains written and detailed minutes of each
Program Advisory Committee (“PAC”) meeting including a description of all members in
Disclosure of Commission Action Hairstyling Institute of Charlotte December 9, 2010
Page 2 of 2
attendance (i.e., titles and affiliations); the date, time, and location of the meeting; and a
comprehensive and clear description of the review of and commentary made by the school
representatives and the Program Advisory Committee members (Section II (A)(5)(d),
Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation).
8. HIC must demonstrate that the school’s current advertising complies with accrediting standards (Section IV (D)(1), Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation).
9. HIC must demonstrate that the school’s catalog complies with accrediting standards (Section IV (B)(1-3), Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation).
10. HIC must demonstrate that the school consistently discloses all tuition costs and charges and all costs incidental to training to all prospective students prior to enrollment before enrollment (Section I (D)(1), Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation).
11. HIC must demonstrate that the financial structure of the school is sound, with resources sufficient for the proper operation of the school and the discharge of obligations to its students (Section I (C)(1), Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation).
12. HIC must demonstrate that the school maintains compliance with all applicable federal requirements (Section I (D)(2)(d), Rules of Process and Procedure, Standards of Accreditation).
13. HIC must demonstrate that the school meets the necessary institutional eligibility criteria including being in compliance with all applicable federal requirements (Section I (B)(2)(a)(ii), Rules of Process and Procedure, Standards of Accreditation). The Probation Order sets forth several areas, where the Commission has significant concerns regarding HIC’s operations and compliance with accrediting standards.
