The Birth and Death by Execution of California's CPPVE

• The Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education Reform Act of 1989 is California's major statute for regulating and strengthening its more than 2,000 privately operated postsecondary educational institutions, as well as out-of-state public and private institutions that have operations in California. The private sector educates approximately 412,000 students: 108,200 enrolled in degree-granting institutions, and 304,200 enrolled in non-degree-granting institutions.
  
  
• Prior to passage of the act, some degrees and diplomas awarded by California's private postsecondary and vocational educational institutions were of questionable integrity and value. The act set minimum standards of instructional quality and institutional business practices, and mandated consumer protections for students against fraud, misrepresentation, and unfair practices by schools. These changes have restored the credibility and integrity of degrees and diplomas awarded by private schools and colleges.

The above description is found in the description of the Intro' to California Assembly Bill AB 71 (introduced 1997). The entire history of the Bill can be viewed at the California Government's Legislation Website

The Private Postsecondary and Vocational Reform Act also resulted in the creation of the Council for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (CPPVE) in 1991, as the overseer and regulator of private educational institutions in the State of California.


CPPVE Comments on its Origins in its 1994/1995 Report
The 1994/1995 Annual Report of the CPPVE (Miller, Hawkins) notes the following on its establishment with the 1991 enactment of the Private Postsecondary and Vocational Reform Act of 1989:

The Council was created and its responsibilities were mandated in two important pieces of legislation enacted in 1989. The Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education Reform Act and the Maxine Waters School Reform and Student Protection Act (Acts) together provide minimum standards for educational quality and financial stability of the institution, and also provide consumer protection to students and prospective students.

Prior to the implementation of the Acts, some of California's more visible proprietary degree-granting institutions gave California a national reputation for diploma mills and fraud was rampant in vocational programs. Students who graduated without the promised education and employment skills often defaulted on their student loans. (p. vii).

Governor Wilson Chides CPPVE's "Pattern of Reprisals and Vindictiveness"

Governor Pete Wilson, in his letter to the California Assembly (1996), explaining why he was shutting down the CPPVE, makes some interesting comments:

… I am concerned about the number of schools, all of whom are still operating, that have described a pattern of reprisals and vindictiveness in dealing with the Council staff. They are told that their only recourse is to take their questions and objections to court. Surely, the Council itself should provide some administrative appeal process short of litigation.

…. A final note. The Council appears to have greatly impacted the operations of many fly-by-night schools, and should be commended for doing so. However, the goal is not to shut down as many schools as possible. Rather, it is the responsibility of the Council to protect students from potential scams, but to make sure there are as many options as possible available to students. There comes a point when we must be careful that we are not reducing supply for the point of reducing supply. I would like to have more assurances that we are not making it impossible or unreasonably difficult for many small businesses to operate before I extend the life of the Council. Cordially, PETE WILSON

Read the complete letter from Governor Wilson (1996), explaining to the California Assembly why he was shutting down the CPPVE.

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