BPSS Cutting Edge News
2022 Directors Course
The mandatory 15-hour Directors Course offered by BPSS will be available only as a real-time (synchronous) online course December 5-9, 2022. This course will be open to new directors and those directors seeking a refresher training.
The complete course will be delivered over five consecutive days (Monday through Friday), 9:00AM – 12:00PM. Attendance will be mandatory for the full 15 hours.
Please use the registration link here: Registration Link
Registration will close on November 30, 2022.
Important: To earn a certificate of completion, directors must attend the entire course, and participate in all course activities and live discussions. Course participation requires internet connectivity, the use of a keyboard, and microphone technology. Smart phones cannot be used. Specific instructions for accessing the required online training platform will be sent to each registered participant prior to the course start date.
Questions should be directed, by email only, to BPSStraining@nysed.gov.
BPSS Advisory Council Meeting
The 3rd and next Advisory Council Meeting for 2022 will be held in an online modality from 10:30am to 1:00pm on Wednesday, October 5th, 2022.
Allied Health Programs – Memo to the Field
Allied Health Programs – Specifically Home Health Aide (HHA) and Personal Care Aide (PCA) including any PCA upgrade to HHA program and any Certified Nurse Aide/Assistant (CNA) Transition to HHA program must review the guidance in the Allied Health Programs Memo to Field.
Questions should be directed by email only to: BPSSCurriclum@nysed.gov
Schools Cannot Withhold Student Transcripts or Charge a Higher Fee to Obtain Transcripts Because of Unpaid Student Debts
An amendment to Article 13-C, §640 of the New York Education Law, effective June 3, 2022, prohibits licensed private career schools from withholding a student’s transcript because of unpaid debts or charging students who owe a debt a higher fee to obtain their transcript. This legislation ensures that students can access their transcript when necessary, so that they may continue their education or find employment.
Please view the text of New York Education Law §640.
Midway Paris Beauty School – Ridgewood, New York
Closure Date: March 31, 2022.
Midway Paris Beauty School, located at 54-40 Myrtle Avenue, Ridgewood Queens, NY 11385 has closed.
Students enrolled at Midway Paris Beauty School who have been unable to complete their program due to the school’s closure are entitled to a full refund of all paid tuition costs through the New York State’s Tuition Reimbursement Account (TRA). To initiate a refund, students must complete the BPSS Complaint Form, or send an email request to BPSS@nysed.gov.
Students who have questions or need further assistance may contact Eileen Woessner, Investigator with BPSS, by email at Eileen.Woessner@NYSED.GOV
Ability to Benefit (ATB) Test Announcement
Wonderlic Education Solutions offers two different testing agreements to all education clients. The first is called the Wonderlic Ability to Benefit (ATB) agreement. This agreement includes the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test (WBST) approved to be purchased and used for Title IV Financial Aid purposes. This agreement between the United States Department of Education (USDE), Wonderlic, and the schools will end on 12/31/2022. The two ATB exams currently approved for Title IV funding are Wonderlic Basic Skills and Accuplacer. Schools will have to contact the USDE for more information on ATB tests approved for Title IV funding after 12/31/2022.
The second agreement is called the Wonderlic Online User Access Agreement. This agreement allows schools to purchase and use any of the Wonderlic products as General Admissions Tests. Some of these other products include the Scholastic Level Exam (SLE), the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test (WBST), the Admissions Risk Profile, Computer testing and Personality testing. This agreement is between Wonderlic and the School.
BPSS will continue to accept the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) and the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test (WBST) as approved ATB tests. Wonderlic ATB testing product information can be found at: Wonderlic ATB Information.
Should any BPSS school select a new examination for ATB purposes, prior to the curriculum renewal date, simply upload a letter on school letterhead to Curriculum / Course Work Detail on the BPSS system. Email BPSSCurriculum@nysed.gov when this is done. If final approval is given, schools can make the official change on the BPSS system when it is time to renew the curriculum.
Updates and Reminders
All schools are required to file financial statements 120-days after their fiscal year end. Additionally, schools should review the policy guideline on Financial Viability. Questions regarding financial statements will be sent by email only to BPSSSchoolreviews@nysed.gov.
The annual OEDS reports were sent electronically to the school contact on file with BPSS. Submissions of OEDS are due no later than April 1, 2022. BPSS will only accept OEDS reports through the email survey link sent to the designated school contact. Questions regarding OEDS reports should be sent by email only to OEDS@NYSED.gov.
Schools currently offering distance education using a Temporary Distance Education approval (TDE) must apply for programmatic approval. Please review the policy guideline on Distance Education Applications for information. All TDE approvals will sunset on December 31, 2022. Questions regarding distance education applications will be sent by email only to BPSScurriculum@nysed.gov.
Applicants for personnel licenses (agents, directors, teachers) should be mindful the application fee is for an evaluation of the application, and not the license itself. BPSS will not waive or refund application fees if an applicant is denied a license. This includes teacher applicants that apply for the wrong license type. Applicants for personnel licenses should consult the BPSS website to ensure their background and education meets the qualifications of the license they are seeking.
Recording Engineers Institute – Islandia, New York
Recording Engineers Institute (REI), located at 100 Patco Court Unit 5, Islandia, New York, has closed due to the passing of its owner and director, James Bernard.
Students enrolled at REI who have been unable to complete their program due to the school’s closure are entitled to a full refund of all paid tuition costs through the New York State’s Tuition Reimbursement Account (TRA). To initiate a refund, students must complete the BPSS Complaint Form, or send an email request to BPSS@nysed.gov.
Students who have questions or need further assistance may contact Richard Cohen, Supervising Investigator with BPSS, by email at BPSS@NYSED.GOV
Advisory Council Updates
Upcoming Meetings
The next Advisory Council meeting is scheduled for October 5, 2022 from 10:30am to 1:00pm. For more information contact Frank Talty, Advisory Council Chair, at fstalty@aol.com