Durbin: Education Department's Rejection of New Programs at Corinthian Colleges Should Prompt Action from Accreditor
Department's action follows Durbin effort to draw attention to artificial job placement rates that are misleading students
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Following a disclosure by Corinthian Colleges, Inc. that the Department of Education has denied many of the company's pending new program applications and increased scrutiny in light of deceptive job placement practices, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges -8 Corinthian Colleges, Inc.'s accreditor whose Board will discuss the issue at its meeting this weekend - to take action.
“In your response [to my letter dated December 17], you assured me that the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) is in 'the midst of an active investigation of Corinthian's conduct' and would 'carefully review this matter at its next full Commission meeting…' I understand that meeting will begin later this week,” said Durbin. “In light of the commitment in your letter to me and this new action by the Department of Education, your Commission can no longer ignore the misleading, fraudulent, or deceptive behavior on the part of Corinthian and its subsidiaries. Your credibility is on the line.”
In response to a December 16 investigation in the Huffington Post, Durbin sent a letter to the Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, asking him to investigate Corinthian Colleges, Inc. and their manipulative marketing practices which included a subsidy program for employers to hire graduates temporarily and outright lying by the company through their advertisement of numbers substantially higher than actual job placement rates.
In his letter to Duncan, Durbin wrote: “Given that Corinthian Colleges received nearly $10 billion over the last decade in federal student aid funding, these practices and misrepresentation to students is an egregious misuse of taxpayer dollars. Today, I am asking the Department of Education to look in to these allegations and use whatever authorities it may have to hold Everest and its parent company, Corinthian Colleges, accountable. I am calling on you and this Administration to work with Congress to respond more aggressively to abuses against students and the public such as those perpetrated by Corinthian.”
Durbin's December 18 letter to Duncan can be found HERE along with similar letters he sent to the Chairman and CEO of Corinthian Colleges, Inc., Jack Massimino, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, and the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.
Today's letter can seen below:
February 6, 2014
Dr. Michale S. McComis, M.Ed., Ed.D.
Executive Director
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 302
Arlington, VA 22201
Dear Dr. McComis:
Thank you for your response to my letter dated December 17, 2013, regarding Corinthian Colleges Inc. and allegations that Corinthian engaged in deceptive job placement practices.
Today, Corinthian disclosed in its FY14 Second Quarter Results that the Department of Education has reached a decision to increase oversight of Corinthian and protect students and taxpayer dollars from misuse. The Department denied approval for certain new locations and programs until it can determine if Corinthian has the capability to adhere to Title IV program requirements. It also required Corinthian to submit job placement rates, grades and attendance record changes for every student in every program from 2010-2013. The Secretary will use this information to determine what additional actions against Corinthian are warranted.
In your response, you assured me that the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) is in “the midst of an active investigation of Corinthian’s conduct” and would “carefully review this matter at its next full Commission meeting…” I understand that meeting will begin later this week. In light of the commitment in your letter to me and this new action by the Department of Education, your Commission can no longer ignore the misleading, fraudulent, or deceptive behavior on the part of Corinthian and its subsidiaries. Your credibility is on the line.
I await the outcome of your Commission's meeting.
Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator