Attorney General Martha Coakley has filed proposed amendments to existing regulations to better protect students from potentially unfair or deceptive practices. 

According to the AG's news release issued on November 21st, the new regulations would require all for-profit and occupational schools in Massachusetts to provide accurate information to the public, prohibit misleading advertising practices, and address unfair lending practices. 

The proposed changes to regulations promulgated pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 93A include:

• Scope: Regulations are broader in scope than existing regulations, and would apply to all for-profit schools and occupational schools. If a school advertises to or enrolls students in Massachusetts, it would be covered by the regulations.
• Disclosures: Schools would be required to disclose, in their advertisements and recruitment literature, accurate and readily comparable information about tuition and fees, placement statistics, graduation rates, and program completion time.
• Prohibited practices: Schools would be prohibited from using high pressure sales tactics, including repeated solicitations through phone calls and text messages, and misrepresenting the role of recruitment personnel by referring them to "counselors" or "advisors."

The new renewal fee schedule will place all licensed schools, regardless of their size, on equal footing by establishing a uniform multiplier of 0.49% that will be applied against the Annual Adjusted Gross Revenue (AAGR) for the last completed fiscal year for each school. 

To calculate this fee, schools should utilize the "Renewal Fee Calculation Worksheet" available on DPL's website.  

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Emphasis was placed on accomplishments, academic excellence, and how the graduate maximized his/her performance and demonstrated outstanding potential for post-graduation employment. The graduate's extra efforts on behalf of the school, student body or community at large were also considered.

Awards were presented to:

Donald Alcus, Lincoln Technical Institute (Lowell)

Shannon Doherty, New England Hair Academy

Nana Gyasi, Peak Medical Academy (Worcester)

Debra Madden, Health Training Center (Hopedale)

Alma Starcevic, DeWalt Institute (Worcester)

 Derek Sullivan, ITT Technical Institute (Wilmington) 

Effective Student Marketing

2 Dundee Park, Suite 302A

Andover, MA 01810

Phone: (978) 475-0880

Fax: (617) 507-6050

www.effectivestudentmarketing.com

Andrew Kelley, President

andy@effectivestudentmarketing.com

Porter and Chester Institute (Canton)

5 Campanelli Circle

Canton, MA 02021

Phone: (781) 830-0350

Fax: (781) 830-0389

www.porterchester.com

Henry Przybylowicz, Director

hprzybylowicz@porterchester.com

Porter and Chester Institute (Chicopee)

1998 Westover Road

Chicopee, MA 01022

Phone: (413) 593-3339

Fax: (413) 593-6439

www.porterchester.com

Scott Dudley, Director
SDudley@porterchester.com

Porter and Chester Institute (Westborough)

129 Flanders Road

Westborough, MA 01581

Phone: (508) 366-0296

Fax: (508) 360-1303

www.porterchester.com

Glenn Hartland, Director

GHartland@porterchester.com

Porter and Chester Institute (Woburn)

8 Presidental Way

Woburn, MA 01801

Phone: (781) 935-1108

Fax: (781) 935-2803

www.porterchester.com

Karen Solimini, Director

kSolimini@porterchester.com

Why Join MAPCS?

• MAPCS is the only association in the state that represents and protects the interests of private career schools.  

• MAPCS membership gives you the chance to join together in a larger community of peers who share a common bond and understand and experience the same challenges you face everyday. 

• As a member you can attend professional seminars and the annual conference at a discounted price. These high quality programs provide you with a great opportunity to network with your colleagues, keep up with what is new in the sector and provide faculty with professional development hours.

• As a MAPCS member you will receive regular legislative updates, the e-newsletter and you can take advantage of discounts on our online education service.

• MAPCS represents you at the legislative and regulatory level.

• Last year MAPCS was successful in its advocacy efforts when the legislation to move the Massachusetts Office of Proprietary Schools was amended to require that the MAPCS president or a designee serve on the newly created 12-member Advisory Council on Private Occupational Schools. This appointment will ensure that MAPCS member schools have a seat at the table when new regulations and policies are developed.

• We are currently working to protect your interests relative to draft regulations being proposed by the Office of Private Occupational School Education and the Attorney General's Office.

Click here to join MAPCS online. 

Click here to download a Membership Brochure and Application.

On October 24, 2013 some 65 MAPCS and APSCU members traveled to Boston to meet with and educate legislators about the contribution that private post secondary career schools make to the Commonwealth's economy and workforce. 

The schools came to Beacon Hill with faculty, employees and graduates.  The program provided a great opportunity to talk to legislators and their staff about how private post-secondary graduates are fulfilling skilled job requirements for employers and helping improve the economy in their districts.

Special thanks to Pearson Learning for providing their sponsorship, the meeting room, breakfast and lunch.

Click here to read the Day on the Hill Program Booklet.

Click here to read the Fact Sheet developed on the proposed DPL regulations for discussion during the Day on the Hill visits.

Day on the Hill Sponsors