California Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education
Encyclopedia
The California Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE) was a unit of the California Department of Consumer Affairs
whose purpose was to protect students by establishing academic standards for of private institutions of higher education
in California
. BPPVE approval or exemption was required by the State of California to ensure consumer safety from fraud
ulent or substandard education providers. The agency ceased operation on July 1, 2007, when the legislative authority for its creation expired. A new agency, the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
, took its place on January 1, 2010.
The agency was not a recognized accreditor, nor did its approval serve as a substitute for educational accreditation
.
The BPPVE was not a recognized accreditor, nor did its approval serve as a substitute for educational accreditation
. State approval was, however, a prerequisite in order for a private institution
to become accredited. BPPVE informational materials stated "Approval is not the same as accreditation." Institutions already holding regional
or national accreditation were not required to seek California state approval.
The bureau accepted and acted on student complaints and oversaw a fund to reimburse tuition
money if a school closed unexpectedly. It also maintained a directory of schools with information regarding operation and academics.
The agency acquired a reputation for being ineffectual.
in the law, the Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education Reform Act expired on July 1, 2007, and the BPPVE was required to cease operations on that date. Legislation to extend the statute was passed by the State Legislature
but was veto
ed by Governor Schwarzenegger
. In his veto message, the governor called for comprehensive reform, saying that an extension of the statute would "allow.. problems that have been well documented to continue to exist and merely allow.. mediocrity for California’s students. On July 12, 2007, Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill to extend student protections at private postsecondary vocational education institutions through January 31, 2008. This statute allowed the state Department of Consumer Affairs
to enter into voluntary compliance agreements with for-profit institutions
while more permanent arrangements are considered by the legislature and state administration.
California Department of Consumer Affairs
The California Department of Consumer Affairs is a department under the California State and Consumer Services Agency. DCA's stated mission is to serve the interests of California's consumers by ensuring a standard of professionalism in key industries and promoting informed consumer practices...
whose purpose was to protect students by establishing academic standards for of private institutions of higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. BPPVE approval or exemption was required by the State of California to ensure consumer safety from fraud
Fraud
In criminal law, a fraud is an intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual; the related adjective is fraudulent. The specific legal definition varies by legal jurisdiction. Fraud is a crime, and also a civil law violation...
ulent or substandard education providers. The agency ceased operation on July 1, 2007, when the legislative authority for its creation expired. A new agency, the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
The California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education is a unit of the California Department of Consumer Affairs charged with regulation of private postsecondary educational institutions operating in the state of California...
, took its place on January 1, 2010.
The agency was not a recognized accreditor, nor did its approval serve as a substitute for educational accreditation
Educational accreditation
Educational accreditation is a type of quality assurance process under which services and operations of educational institutions or programs are evaluated by an external body to determine if applicable standards are met...
.
Purpose and functions
The Private Postsecondary and Vocational Reform Act of 1989 created the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE) as the overseer and regulator of private educational institutions in the State of California. The bureau "regulated approximately 1,800 schools serving an estimated 400,000 students", and administered statutory exemptions from the regulations for schools that teach religion.The BPPVE was not a recognized accreditor, nor did its approval serve as a substitute for educational accreditation
Educational accreditation
Educational accreditation is a type of quality assurance process under which services and operations of educational institutions or programs are evaluated by an external body to determine if applicable standards are met...
. State approval was, however, a prerequisite in order for a private institution
Private university
Private universities are universities not operated by governments, although many receive public subsidies, especially in the form of tax breaks and public student loans and grants. Depending on their location, private universities may be subject to government regulation. Private universities are...
to become accredited. BPPVE informational materials stated "Approval is not the same as accreditation." Institutions already holding regional
Regional accreditation
Regional accreditation is a term used in the United States to refer to educational accreditation conducted by any of several accreditation bodies established to serve six defined geographic areas of the country for accreditation of schools, colleges, and universities...
or national accreditation were not required to seek California state approval.
The bureau accepted and acted on student complaints and oversaw a fund to reimburse tuition
Tuition
Tuition payments, known primarily as tuition in American English and as tuition fees in British English, Canadian English, Australian English, New Zealand English and Indian English, refers to a fee charged for educational instruction during higher education.Tuition payments are charged by...
money if a school closed unexpectedly. It also maintained a directory of schools with information regarding operation and academics.
The agency acquired a reputation for being ineffectual.
Cessation of operations
Because of a sunset provisionSunset provision
In public policy, a sunset provision or clause is a measure within a statute, regulation or other law that provides that the law shall cease to have effect after a specific date, unless further legislative action is taken to extend the law...
in the law, the Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education Reform Act expired on July 1, 2007, and the BPPVE was required to cease operations on that date. Legislation to extend the statute was passed by the State Legislature
California State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members...
but was veto
Veto
A veto, Latin for "I forbid", is the power of an officer of the state to unilaterally stop an official action, especially enactment of a piece of legislation...
ed by Governor Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
. In his veto message, the governor called for comprehensive reform, saying that an extension of the statute would "allow.. problems that have been well documented to continue to exist and merely allow.. mediocrity for California’s students. On July 12, 2007, Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill to extend student protections at private postsecondary vocational education institutions through January 31, 2008. This statute allowed the state Department of Consumer Affairs
California Department of Consumer Affairs
The California Department of Consumer Affairs is a department under the California State and Consumer Services Agency. DCA's stated mission is to serve the interests of California's consumers by ensuring a standard of professionalism in key industries and promoting informed consumer practices...
to enter into voluntary compliance agreements with for-profit institutions
For-Profit School
For-profit education refers to educational institutions operated by private, profit-seeking businesses....
while more permanent arrangements are considered by the legislature and state administration.
See also
- Diploma millDiploma millA diploma mill is an organization that awards academic degrees and diplomas with substandard or no academic study and without recognition by official educational accrediting bodies. The purchaser can then claim to hold an academic degree, and the organization is motivated by making a profit...
- List of unaccredited institutions of higher learning
- List of unrecognized accreditation associations of higher learning
- List of recognized accreditation associations of higher learning
- Oregon State Office of Degree AuthorizationOregon State Office of Degree AuthorizationThe Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization is a unit of the Oregon Student Assistance Commission with responsibilities related to maintaining high standards in private higher education institutions in Oregon...