Directs Secretary of Higher Education to revoke proprietary school's license to award academic degrees if school fails to achieve certain minimum graduation rates.
Impact
This legislation significantly impacts proprietary schools, which are defined as postsecondary institutions operated for profit. By setting clear performance benchmarks, the bill aims to ensure that these institutions provide a quality education that leads to a reasonable rate of graduation. The potential revocation of licenses may lead to a more competitive educational environment, encouraging proprietary schools to improve their educational standards and outcomes. It also places a greater accountability burden on these institutions, pushing them to focus on student success.
Summary
Senate Bill 3359 addresses the graduation rates of proprietary schools in New Jersey, mandating that the Secretary of Higher Education revokes a school's license to award academic degrees if certain minimum graduation rates are not met. Specifically, the bill stipulates that proprietary schools must achieve a six-year graduation rate of at least 75% for four-year degree programs and a three-year graduation rate of at least 75% for two-year degree programs. If a school fails to meet these benchmarks within six years from the effective date of the bill, it would face revocation of its degree-awarding authority.
Contention
Potential points of contention around SB 3359 may arise regarding the enforcement and implications of these graduation rate benchmarks. Critics might argue that a one-size-fits-all standard does not consider the unique challenges that certain schools may face, such as funding resources, student demographics, or regional economic conditions. Moreover, the discretionary power granted to the Secretary of Higher Education to provide additional time for schools making 'sufficient progress' could lead to concerns about subjectivity and fairness in the decision-making process regarding license revocations.
Carry Over
Directs Secretary of Higher Education to revoke proprietary school's license to award academic degrees if school fails to achieve certain minimum graduation rates.
Requires certain institutions of higher education and degree-granting proprietary institutions to submit certain documentation on online program managers to Secretary of Higher Education.
Applies provisions of "New Jersey College Student and Parent Consumer Information Act" to proprietary schools and limits eligibility for State student assistance programs to students enrolled in certain proprietary schools.
Requires institutions of higher education to distribute information on availability of allowance for dependent care expenses in determination of cost of attendance.
Provides that former law enforcement officers who retired due to disability are eligible to receive tuition assistance to attend public institution of higher education or proprietary institution licensed to confer academic degrees.
Provides that former law enforcement officers who retired due to disability are eligible to receive tuition assistance to attend public institution of higher education or proprietary institution licensed to confer academic degrees.