CECU Daily Update Email

Education Politics and Policy
Education Department finds new ‘compliance concerns’ with accreditor ACICS – Politico
The Education Department has identified new potential violations of federal standards by the controversial college accreditor reinstated last year by Secretary Betsy DeVos, according to newly released documents.
 
Community colleges may not be ready for role 2020 candidates want them to play – Politico
Too many new students will overwhelm the system, even if they are accompanied by additional funding, community college leaders and experts say.
 
Betsy DeVos Accused Of Student Loans ‘Scheme’ – Forbes
In a series of tweets, The Intercept’s Washington bureau chief Ryan Grim suggested DeVos may have ulterior motives regarding her new student loan plan. Last week, DeVos unveiled a “proposal” that eventually could get the Education Department out of the student lending business.
 
Accessible Instructional Materials Bill Reintroduced, Again – Inside Higher Ed
Legislation promoting equal access to instructional materials for students with disabilities was reintroduced to the U.S. House of Representatives last week by Congressmen Phil Roe, a Tennessee Republican, and Joe Courtney, a Connecticut Democrat.
 
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: “Examining the Education Department’s Implementation of Borrower Defense.”
Date: Thursday, December 12, 2019; Witnesses: The Honorable Betsy DeVos 

​Legal and Regulatory Issues
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: TEACH Grants and Faith-Based Entities – U.S. Department of Education
The Department of Education (Department) proposes revising the current regulations regarding the eligibility of faith-based entities to participate in the Federal Student Aid programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), and the eligibility of students to obtain certain benefits under those programs. The Secretary is also proposing to simplify the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program requirements to minimize the number of TEACH Grants that are converted to Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and to update, strengthen, and clarify other areas of the TEACH Grant Program regulations. A summary of the proposed rule is available here. 

​Member Spotlight
Southeastern Institute ranks among top schools in South Carolina for ROI according to new Georgetown University study
Southeastern Institute’s campuses in South Carolina rank among the best institutions of higher learning in the state for return on investment (ROI) according to a new study published by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce. Results from the new study show that Southeastern Institute campuses in Columbia and North Charleston consistently rank in the top 10 for ROI compared to all private post-secondary institutions in South Carolina.
 
Unitek Learning Announces Their Expansion to Two Locations in Idaho
Unitek Learning is proud to announce the expansion of Eagle Gate College to Boise and Idaho Falls. Eagle Gate plans to offer medical assisting and nursing programs at both locations. 

Veterans for Career Education (VCE)
(Video) After leaving the military, U.S. Army Veteran, Frank Grillo, received a degree in business at a traditional school. After realizing this degree was not leading to the career he wanted, Grillo enrolled in the Colorado School of Trades to get the hands on experience he needed to start a career.
 
Click here to watch the interview.
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​Education News
A Fake University – Inside Higher Ed
International students say they were recruited by the University of Farmington — set up by the U.S. government as part of a sting operation focused on student visa fraud — after their institutions lost accreditation. Some blame the government for setting the students up.
 
New parent charged in college admissions scam will plead guilty – CBS News
A California woman has become the latest parent to agree to plead guilty in the college admissions scandal, according to a press release from the Department of Justice on Monday.
 
President Speaks: Don’t sound the death knell for small liberal arts colleges just yet – Education Dive
As their closures make headlines, Dominican University of California President Mary Marcy unpacks her new research on promising approaches to survival. 

​Reports/Research
Completion rates reach 8-year high, report finds – Education Dive
Nearly 60% of students who entered college in 2013 earned a credential within six years, raising the completion rate to an eight-year high, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (NSCRC).
 
Workers are taking courses online to communicate better off-line—here’s why – CNBC
According to a recent analysis by LinkedIn Learning, the No. 1 topic that learners took the most courses in this year was communication. The trend could be seen across all age brackets, from Generation Z workers at the beginning of their careers to baby boomers at the management and executive levels. 

​Career Education Convention
hosted by CECU & FAPSC
June 7-10 | Orlando, FL | www.career.org/convention
 
This year CECU will be partnering with FAPSC, the Florida state association. The CECU Annual Convention and FAPSC Annual Conference have joined forces to maximize the conference experience for all attendees!
 
 
Important Dates:
Dec 16 - Booth registration open to the public (reg. link will be posted here)
Feb 3 - Attendee registration opens
Feb 3 - Call for Sessions opens