The California Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE) was a unit of the California Department of Consumer Affairs whose purpose was to protect students by establishing academic standards for of private institutions of higher education in California. BPPVE approval or exemption was required by the State of California to ensure consumer safety from fraudulent or substandard education providers. The agency ceased operation on July 1, 2007, when the legislative authority for its creation expired.[1] A new agency, the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, took its place on January 1, 2010.
The agency was not a recognized accreditor, nor did its approval serve as a substitute for educational accreditation.[2]
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The Private Postsecondary and Vocational Reform Act of 1989[3] created the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE) as the overseer and regulator of private educational institutions in the State of California. The bureau "regulated approximately 1,800 schools serving an estimated 400,000 students", and administered statutory exemptions from the regulations for schools that teach religion.[4]
The BPPVE was not a recognized accreditor, nor did its approval serve as a substitute for educational accreditation. State approval was, however, a prerequisite in order for a private institution to become accredited.[2] BPPVE informational materials stated "Approval is not the same as accreditation."[2] Institutions already holding regional or national accreditation were not required to seek California state approval.[5]
The bureau accepted and acted on student complaints and oversaw a fund to reimburse tuition money if a school closed unexpectedly.[2] It also maintained a directory of schools with information regarding operation and academics.[6]
The agency acquired a reputation for being ineffectual.[7]
Because of a sunset provision in the law, the Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education Reform Act expired on July 1, 2007, and the BPPVE was required to cease operations on that date.[1] Legislation to extend the statute was passed by the State Legislature but was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger. In his veto message, the governor called for comprehensive reform, saying that an extension of the statute would "allow.. problems that have been well documented to continue to exist and merely allow.. mediocrity for California’s students.[8] On July 12, 2007, Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill to extend student protections at private postsecondary vocational education institutions through January 31, 2008. This statute allowed the state Department of Consumer Affairs to enter into voluntary compliance agreements with for-profit institutions while more permanent arrangements are considered by the legislature and state administration.[5][1]