Rep. Takano Slams DeVos Decision to Recognize ACICS
Riverside, CA – Today, Rep. Mark Takano released this statement after the U.S. Department of Education announced restoration of federal recognition to the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, which gave accreditation to for-profits like ITT Tech and Corinthian Colleges:
“Secretary Betsy DeVos’ decision to continue granting the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) federal recognition represents clear neglect by the Department of Education to uphold its responsibility to protect the interests of students and taxpayers.
“Time and time again, ACICS has granted accreditation to low-performing, predatory for-profit institutions, including ITT Tech and Corinthian Colleges – two now-defunct for-profits that have left thousands of students with massive amounts of debt they cannot repay and an incomplete or worthless degree. This move by the Department is another prime example of Secretary DeVos’ keenness to prioritize the needs of for-profits, while leaving students, student veterans, and other vulnerable groups with the risk of receiving a sub-par education from institutions that are only interested in lining their pocketbooks with student aid.”
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