Report of Regents Adult Career and Continuing Education Services (ACCES) Committee to The Board of Regents

Your ACCES Committee held its scheduled meeting on March 17, 2015.  All members were present, with the exception of Regent Norwood, who was excused.

ACTION ITEMS

Approval of Certain Ability-to-Benefit Tests for Purposes of Eligibility for State Financial Aid [ACCES (A) 1] – Your Committee recommends that the Board of Regents approve, retroactively to September 1, 2007, the use of the federally approved ATB tests listed in attachment A for the timeframes identified therein by non-degree granting postsecondary schools for purposes of the TAP program.

MOTION FOR ACTION BY FULL BOARD

Madam Chancellor and Colleagues: Your ACCES Committee recommends, and we move, that the Board of Regents act affirmatively upon this recommendation in the written report of the Committee's deliberations at its meeting on March 17, 2015, copies of which have been distributed to each Regent. 

MATTERS NOT REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision Update [ACCES (D) 1] – the Committee was provided an update on the impact of recent provisions in New York State statue and Federal Law pertaining to consumer protection, ability-to-benefit test, and gainful employment requirement.  In 2012, the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, ruled to eliminate Title IV eligibility to ATB students.  However, in 2015, the Continuing Resolution Omnibus Spending Bill restored ATB tests for Title IV for “eligible career pathways,” retroactive to July 2014.

Also reviewed was the impact of federal gainful employment rules. In order to receive federal student aid, the law requires that most for-profit programs, regardless of credential level, and most non-degree programs at non-profit and public institutions, including community colleges, prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.  Success will be measured and reported.  Programs that do not perform will no longer be eligible.  The impact of the gainful employment guidelines on BPSS-regulated schools could be significant.

Consent Agenda

The Board of Regents will take action on the following consent agenda item at their March 17, 2015 meeting.

• Amendment of Section 100.8 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to Local High School Equivalency Diplomas based upon Experimental Program