http://community.elearners.com/blogs/penn_foster_college_blog/archive/2007/10/25/the-state-of-texas-has-it-all-wrong.aspx

Of course as we all know here, California Coast University is accredited by the DETC which is recognized by both the CHEA and the U.S.DOE.  Boy that was a lot of acronyms wasn't it?

The problem is that the list is simply outdated.  They even have "a" Ashford University on the list but with a little sidebar that states that this only applies to the fake Ashford University, not the real Ashford University in IA which used to be known as the Franciscan University, as if that will not confuse some overworked, underpaid bureaucrat or human resource screener.  The thing is, there hasn't been a fraudulent Ashford University in quiet some time and the people who may most be affected by this will be folks like me, who will have a legitimate, expensive and hard earned degree.  As if the whole issue on accreditation isn't confusing enough, state agencies such as this one are woefully behind the times and dreadfully ignorant of the subject matter they are to be writing and enforcing policy on.

As an example, the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) is not on the Texas list of state approved accrediting agencies.  This means that Texas will not recognize a degree as being legitimate from such schools as Columbia Southern University, Penn Foster College, Ashworth College, Andrew Jackson University, Southwest University, etcetera, all of which are fully legitimate, legal and accredited schools which will be listed in the United States Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation's publications.  But apparently this doesn't matter to Texas as seen in the following link...

http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/reports/PDF/1254.PDF

In fact, in Texas using a "fraudulent" or "substandard" degree is a Class B Misdemeanor.  I wish I was making this stuff up.

Now I have seen in other conversations where there was a professor who was using a doctorate degree from California Coast University which was earned prior to the school being accredited by the DETC.  Some people are tying their hopes to the outcome of her case.  She is claiming that her doctorate is from an accredited school recognized by the DETC which is approved by the CHEA and DOE.  She is both right an wrong.  The school is accredited, however since she earned the degree when it was not accredited, her degree is not.  There is no grandfather clause.  See... http://www.southeasttexaslive.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18953787&BRD=2287&PAG=461&dept_id=512588&rfi=6

This is unfortunate in that I believe that she will lose her case based upon this one fact and as such we cannot count on Texas to change or be ordered to change their policy based upon this case.

As such I believe this is a perfect opportunity to get the voice of the distance learning community heard regardless of which state you may live in.  That's you and me folks.  If you're reading this post, you probably have a dog in this fight as Texas is not alone in these types of draconian and ignorant restrictions.  I then urge each of you to set a precedent, write, email and call Texas and let them know how you feel about their policies on education and accreditation.  I ask that if you do decide to write that you be professional, respectful and informed.  Be representative of the distance learning community; put your best foot forward.

You may contact them at http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Comments/

Remember, this is how democracy works. 

Below is the letter I have emailed and I will also snail mail.

Aldureaux Le'Paumer

123 Mystreet
Big D, TX 75200

mailto:alduropalmer@gmail.com

Raymund A. Paredes, Ph.D

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
P.O. Box 12788
Austin, TX 78711-2788

Dear Dr. Paredes,

Re: Ashford University, California Coast University and the DETC

I am writing in regards to your listed diploma mills found at http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/AAR/PrivateInstitutions/NoTX.cfm. You have two schools on your list which are a cause of concern to me.  The first is Ashford University.  I realize that for a brief time a few years ago there were fake degrees issued by a company under the name Ashford University but I believe that Texas will have far, far more legitimate graduates and students than those claiming a fraudulent degree from an old diploma mill no longer in operation.  I am currently a graduate student at the real Ashford University in Clinton, IA which is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). Although you do have a disclaimer regarding the real Ashford University just to the right of the listing, I feel that even having the school listed will simply cause confusion and hurt graduates and students of the real Ashford University.  There have been fake degrees sold for Stanford University, Harvard University and even Columbia University, but none of them are listed on your website like Ashford University. I feel that this unfairly singles out Ashford University and unnecessarily so.p>

Secondly I am concerned by the fact that you have California Coast University listed as a diploma mill.  California Coast University gained accreditation by the Distance Education and Training Council in 2005.  The Distance Education and Training Council are recognized as a legitimate accrediting agency by both the United States Department of Education and the Council (USDOE) on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

I am requesting that both Ashford University and California Coast University be removed from the above linked list on your website.

Additionally I have noticed that the State of Texas does not recognize the DETC as a legitimate and legal accrediting agency despite the DETC being recognized by the CHEA and the USDOE.  I was wondering if you could explain why this is so on your website or correct the error if this is indeed an oversight.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Aldureaux Le'Paumer

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