For profit schools on tax payer funds in CA results

https://calmatters.org/education/2024/08/for-profit-schools-california-jobs/

Taxpayers cover tuition at California’s for-profit schools. The results? Low-wage, high-turnover jobs.

"Officials have warned students for years that for-profit schools may make misleading career claims — leaving them with “a mountain of debt” but no job. Still, many for-profit schools remain on the state’s list of recommended job training programs."

 

It's been this way since...forever.

 

I have known several people who attended for-profit schools to become a LVN (licensed vocational nurse). When I pointed out to them that they could have attended an ROP (Regional Occupational Program) or a community college for much less money (in fact noth the ROP and Community college LVN programs are essentially free if one qualifies for Pell.) All of them stated that there were long waiting lists for both ROPs and CCs. The only ROP I am personally acquainted with (North Orange) foes indeed have a waiting list IN ADDITION to several courses required BEFORE entering the LVN program.

There is a state license exam, which operates to weed out the unqualified. The pass rate for the LVN exam BY SCHOOL is available online at

https://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/pdf/vn_pass_rates.pdf

but I doubt that many prospective student consult it. The pass rate for most for-profits is respectable (in the 80%).. For some schools, the majority of students fail.

It's also worth noting that the great majority of LVNs attended a for-profit schools.

 

I worked at a for-profit that had a high pass rate for its LVN graduates, but that was the only program they put effort and money into because it was the only program that led to a license. It also had additional regulations from the Texas Board of Nursing. For the other programs, admissions standards were lower, and the job outcomes were terrible. We only had to worry about ACCSC, which was more concerned with administrative stuff than quality and outcomes.

I had to design curriculum for four courses in accordance with ACCSC requirements, and it was a pain. Afterward, I worked at two RA public universities, and there's less red tape. But you know what? The students can read! Hallelujah!