BPSS Cutting Edge News
Students Urged to Attend Licensed Private "Proprietary" Career Schools to Get the Education They Deserve
The New York State Education Department (NYSED), Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (BPSS), urges students to attend licensed private career schools (also known as proprietary schools), and avoid unlicensed schools. BPSS's mission is to ensure that the overall educational quality of the programs offered at private career schools will provide students with the necessary skills to secure meaningful employment and to protect students' financial interests while attending career schools. Career schools prepare students for a trade or business occupation and confer certificates, not degrees. Students should also be aware that Private Career School Teacher Licenses are ONLY VALID at private career schools licensed by the Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (BPSS).
Check to see if your school is licensed.
To obtain further information about licensed private career schools visit NYSED’s Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision website or by emailing BPSS@nysed.gov
Annual Reminder- Occupational Education Data Statistics (OEDS)
All BPSS schools are required to report the statistical data (Occupational Education Data Statistics (OEDS) for the previous period of July 1 – June 30. Submissions of OEDS for the reporting period July 1, 2021- June 30, 2022, are due no later than April 15, 2023.
For Licensed Private Career Schools (LPCS)-Please note that this year, the OEDS reporting will be submitted entirely on the BPSS system. School Administrator rights/roles will be required for submission. On Monday, March 6, 2023, an email will be sent under separate cover to each LPCS School Director and Contact Person (as listed on the BPSS system) with instructions for completing the OEDS.
For English as Second Language (ESL) Schools-The OEDS reporting will be completed via a survey. Detailed information regarding the completion of the survey will emailed to each ESL School Director and Contact Person (as listed on the BPSS system).
****Email communications related to OEDS reporting will be sent from OEDS@NYSED.gov, please be sure to check your spam folder and add OEDS@NYSED.gov to your contact list****
Questions regarding OEDS reports should be sent by email only to OEDS@NYSED.gov.
Annual Financial Requirements Reminder
All BPSS schools must fulfill the following two annual reporting requirements; Annual Financial Statement and Occupational Education Data Statistics (OEDS). Detailed information regarding both requirements has been emailed to all school directors.
All Schools are required to file financial statements 120 days after their fiscal year end. Policy Guidelines regarding this requirement can be found at BPSS Schools Annual Financial Reporting Requirements. Additionally, schools should review the policy guideline on Financial Viability. Questions regarding financial statements should be sent to: BPSSSchoolReviews@nysed.gov(link sends e-mail).
All BPSS schools are required to report the statistical data (Occupational Education Data Statistics) for the previous period of July 1 – June 30. Submissions of OEDS are due no later than April 1, 2023. In early February, an email will be sent under separate cover to each School Administrator (as listed on the BPSS system) with instructions for completing the OEDS. Questions regarding OEDS reports should be sent by email only to OEDS@NYSED.gov(link sends e-mail).
Additional policy information can be found by viewing: Policy Guidelines
Information on E-Textbooks and Devices
Please see updated guidance on E-Textbooks and Devices. Questions regarding this topic can be sent by email only to BPSScurriculum@nysed.gov
Temporary Distance Education approval (TDE) Sunset Announcement
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.
In order to provide schools one full calendar year from the original announcement date, BPSS will extend the sunset of TDE approval to February 28, 2023. This extended date provides BPSS schools that have not already applied for programmatic approval additional time to complete the process.
All TDE approvals will now sunset on February 28, 2023. There will be no further extensions beyond this date.
Questions regarding distance education applications will be sent by email only to BPSScurriculum@nysed.gov
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 March 15, 2023 from 10:30am to 1:00pm. For more information contact Frank Talty, Advisory Council Chair, at fstalty@aol.com