Hot Rod Institute, SD Yes - it's real - and accredited.

Discussion in 'Accreditation Discussions (RA, DETC, state approva' started by Johann, Apr 26, 2017.

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  1. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    I think this is a really interesting school. And it's accredited - just not for degrees, though. This is the sort of accreditation you might see most often on a legit K-12 school - distance or private. It's real. I have no problem with them accrediting a trade/hobby/skill school like this, provided the curriculum merits it.

    Here's their site: | Hot Rod Institute - Hot Rodding and More

    Here's their accreditation statement: HRI Granted Full Accreditation | Hot Rod Institute - Hot Rodding and More

    Here's the accreditor's site: About Us | AdvancED

    As they say: "AdvancED was created through a 2006 merger of the Pre-K-12 divisions of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI)—and expanded through the addition of the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) in 2012."

    J.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 27, 2017
  2. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    I certainly do not believe, even for a moment, that this school is bogus - but I would have missed it completely, were it not for Axact, the Pakistan-based minefield of fraudulent schools, accreditors etc. I was looking through an Axact bogus accreditor's site, which published a list of "accredited" schools by State (including good ones and phonies). The Hot Rod Institute sounded interesting enough to check. I guess sometimes bad things do good in spite of themselves. But rarely, I'll admit. :smile:

    J.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 27, 2017
  3. Gabe F.

    Gabe F. Active Member

    I remember in my senior year of high school (2001) a bunch of us were talking about our plans. This one kid, Eddie, told us that he planned to attend the "diesel college in Nashville". At first, we all thought he was confused or making it up, but nope. He was referring to the Nashville Auto Diesel College (now part of, and known as, Lincoln Tech).

    I always thought it'd be pretty sweet to tell someone you went to "diesel college" , but the "Hot Rod Institute" is even sweeter!
     
  4. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Yes, it is. It can hardly get more "American" than that! The cradle of Hot Rod civilization! Grads should be proud! (I would be - and I'm not even American!) :smile:

    J.
     
  5. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    Help me understand more about AdvancED. So, I get that North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI) are both legit- I can find them in the US Dept of Ed database. I don't understand what it means that they "and expanded through the addition of the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) in 2012."

    I also can't find AdvancED in the US Dept of ed database of accreditors, but I do see where Hot Rod rec'd accreditation by North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, Board of Trustees in 2011 but of course that's a bust- leaving them unable to participate in financial aid (they haven't updated their FAQ...oops). The announcement of their AdvancED accreditation doesn't show a date, so I checked their database and I can't find Hot Rod in there anywhere.

    I am seriously eager to share this school on my FB page, because I think a lot of people would think it's super cool- I know I do- but before I do that, I want to try and understand the limitations of their legitimacy.
     
  6. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    As far as I can tell, Jennifer, AdvancED is the umbrella org - and divisions thereof, e.g. NCA CASI and SACS CASI do the actual accreditation. As you mentioned, the divisions are bona fide accreditors. There's an extensive timeline feature on the site, chronicling developments since AdvancED founding in 2006. It includes the joining of Northwest Accreditation Commission in 2012:

    "The Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) joined AdvancED as the third accreditation division. The addition of NWAC provided institutions across seven states access to the AdvancED Accreditation Process and Protocol."

    I think that sounds like a reasonable explanation of the NWAC matter. The whole timeline can be accessed here. You can click on the yearly milestones at the bottom of the page: 10-Year Anniversary | AdvancED

    Summary: AdvancED seems to be the "holding company" for three recognized accreditors of non-degree level schools. At one time, the Hot Rod Institute offered an associate degree in conjunction with an RA Community College. That (HRI says) had to be discontinued - as Hot Rod Institute was either unaccredited or its accreditation did not extend to the degree level - I'm not quite sure which.

    The one thing that defies explanation (by me, at least) is the Student Financial Aid thing. There are some accredited schools that don't participate by choice, but this seems to be one that can't -- and although accredited, their FAQ cites something accreditor-related as a cause. I won't even pretend to understand it. I'm not trying to influence your opinion, Jennifer, but here's my take: It seems to me to be legit accreditation, but not at degree level, done by a recognized agency, (NCA CASI) according to the policies etc. of its umbrella organization, AdvancED. If it appears to be something different to you, I'd certainly be interested in - and respectful of - your thoughts.

    J.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 28, 2017
  7. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    PS - I've heard of these accreditors before - SACS CASI and NCA CASI - but only in conjunction with private and/or distance K-12 schools. I didn't know they accredited (somewhat) exotic schools like Hot Rod Institute. Maybe I can pick out some more interesting schools there...and is it possible that such non-degree-level accreditation does not facilitate participation in Student Financial Aid?

    J.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 28, 2017
  8. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    Penn Foster has similar regional accreditation from Middle States.
     
  9. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Indeed it does. And it also has accreditation from AdvanceED divisions. From their accreditation statement: "Penn Foster Career School and High School have earned both regional and national accreditation. Penn Foster College has earned national accreditation..."

    Whole page here, including Penn Foster accreditations by Middle States, AdvancED divisions, DEAC, IACET and others: https://www.pennfoster.edu/why-penn-foster/about/accreditation

    Penn Foster, on AdvanceEd: "The North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI) are accreditation divisions of AdvancED. (Emphasis mine - J.) This accreditation demonstrates our dedication to continuous improvement in all that we do."

    Divisions, huh? ... Yep, think I said that, too. Nice to be right, for once. :smile:

    J.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 28, 2017
  10. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    From another school accredited by (a division of) AdvanceEd: "AdvancED provides nationally recognized accreditation for school districts and individual schools and represents 27,000 public and private schools and districts across the United States and in 65 countries worldwide, educating 15 million students."

    It's here: https://smarthorizonsonline.org/accreditations/

    Public and private schools. Bigger than I thought. No wonder I've seen it before.... That's it! No more! I've been sounding like an ad. for some time.... :shock:

    J.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 28, 2017
  11. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    I might call them and ask ;) I wonder why AdvancED's accreditation doesn't land them in the database? I still think it looks like a cool program.
     
  12. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    So do I. I looked to see what other programs were available, maybe with different accreditation:

    • Lakeland College (CC in Alberta, Canada.) Cert. in Street Rod Technology: Street Rod Technologies | Lakeland College
    • Utah Valley University. AAS with Street Rod Emphasis: http://www.uvu.edu/catalog/current/departments/automotive-technology/collision-repair-technology-street-rod-emphasis-aas
    • Street Rod and Custom Fabrication at Wyotech (formerly Wyoming Technical Institute) : https://www.wyotech.edu/specialty/street-rod-custom-fabrication
    • Ohio Technical College: Rod and Custom Technology: Rod And Custom Technology - Ohio Tech, Cleveland
    • And finally... fast times at Hot Rod High - Great name! Its real name is Shawano High School, but... Home •

    J.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 28, 2017
  13. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    Thank you!! I really appreciate that. I can't wait to pass that on.
     
  14. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    I wanted to share that I wrote a post about this on my Homeschooling for College Credit blog - I added many other options for earning credit (high school and college). I'm posting in the event that someone may want to pursue this area. https://homeschoolingforcollegecredit.com/2017/05/01/hot-rod-school/
    P.S. I earn no money posting that link
     
  15. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Great job, Jennifer! I enjoyed the read! If those courses had been around 60 years ago, my life might have been different...
    Heck, I'm only 75 -- one of those cars in the pictures is older than I am! Maybe it's not too late... :smile:

    J.
     
  16. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    Ha ha! Thanks Johann, I appreciate you reading it. Funny story, when I wrote that, the owner of the Crankin Engines DVD course contacted me. Turns out he is in my state, not too far. We plan to test out his curriculum this year.
     
  17. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

  18. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Requirements and outlook for career as Street Rod Fabricator here. Street Rod Fabricator Career Overview

    This is old, old data (2006?) Wages looked especially disappointing, even for 2006 - $9+ to $14+ per hour! I can't believe wages would be anything near that low today - particularly since the job needs good skills, esp. welding. Anyone?

    And as for declining demand due to imported cars -- HAH! Nascar has included Toyota since 2007 but that was the only import - and first new brand since 1971! ...

    J
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 12, 2017
  19. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 12, 2017
  20. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    How cool would this be, for a kid to say: "My Dad / Mom is a Hot Rod Technician." WOW!

    J.
     

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