Connecticut Administrative Code › Title 10a - State Systems of Higher Education › 22k - Approval of Private Occupational Schools Requiring Certification › Section 10a-22k-5 - Evaluation criteria for initial or renewal of authorization

Current through July 10, 2024
All schools must meet the following conditions for authorization and the evaluation team shall review and report to the commissioner, pursuant to section 10a-22k-4 of these regulations, on the following minimum requirements:
(a)
Program and courses:
The program provided shall be supported by a proper organizational structure and, where appropriate, consist of laboratory and field work. The quality and content of each course or program of instruction, training or study shall reasonably and adequately achieve the stated objective for which such course or program is offered. The program description shall be published in the school's catalog and shall be clearly stated in units of credit or clock hours. One credit hour shall consist of a minimum of fifteen clock hours of instruction. A "clock hour" or "hour" of instruction shall be defined as a period of sixty minutes with a minimum of fifty minutes of instruction. In the case of home study, the number of lessons needed to reasonably and adequately achieve the stated objective for which the program is offered shall be stated. The program content and length shall be not less than the education and training essential for employment in the field for which the program is offered.
(b)
Instruction:
Instruction shall include defined instructional outcomes; systematic planning by teachers; the selection and use of appropriate and varied types of learning materials and experiences; and the use of valid and reliable evaluation instruments and procedures.
A uniform system of grading criteria shall be used by the school and published in its catalog. Students shall be informed of their grades or standing, in writing, at the completion of each course or, for home study schools, each lesson. Students who are performing unsatisfactorily shall be informed of their grade or standing at least half way through the course or at least every four months, whichever is less. In the case of minors, grade reports shall be sent to parents or guardians. Certificates of graduation, diplomas or certificates covering completion of a specific program shall be issued to students when all the requirements of the course or program are met. The program shall include a fixed number of credits or clock hours or in the case of home study, lessons of instruction required to be satisfactorily completed before program completion certificates or certificates of graduation may be issued to students. Any applicant intending to charge fees for services or products of students or instructors shall provide in its application information indicating that such service or production is necessary to provide adequate experience in the area in which instruction is offered. A schedule of such fees shall be included with the application.
(c)
Class size and facilities:
Class size shall not exceed the capacity of instructional equipment, materials and facilities and reasonable standards of safety and supervision. Equipment and other instructional materials shall be sufficient in quality, quantity and variety to assure safety and to provide the training specified in a course. The school shall maintain a library adequate for the purposes and objectives of the school. Student housing owned, leased, rented or otherwise maintained by the school shall meet all state and local fire, health and zoning requirements. Each housing unit shall not exceed reasonable standards of occupancy. No student shall be required to sign a lease for a period of time greater than needed to fulfill requirements for graduation or certification.
(d)
Admission of students:
A school shall admit only those students whose educational background and abilities qualify them to pursue the particular program, course or lesson for which enrollment is sought. In no event shall enrollment be solicited in lieu of compulsory elementary or secondary school attendance.
(e)
Tuition and enrollment agreement:
A school and its approved branch facilities shall charge students a uniform rate of tuition and other fees for the same program, provided nothing herein shall prevent a school from making a uniform change in tuition or other fees in new enrollment agreements or shall prevent a school from negotiating with state or federal governmental agencies for group training contracts and charging at lower individual rates for tuition or other fees for students participating in such programs under such contracts. There shall be a standard written enrollment agreement between the school and each student which shall conform to all requirements of federal and state law. In the case of home study schools, such written enrollment agreement shall conform, at the minimum, to all requirements of federal law where the student is not a resident of the state of Connecticut. The enrollment agreement shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) Title: identification of document as a contract or agreement.
(2) School: name and address of the school to be attended.
(3) Course or program: course or program title as identified in the school catalog.
(4) Time required: number of clock hours and number of weeks or months normally required for completion as stated in school catalog. In the case of home study, the number of lessons required for completion as stated in school catalog.
(5) Certificate, diploma: identification of type of document to be received by student upon successful completion of the course or program.
(6) Costs: tuition, books and supplies and other costs.
(7) Payment: method and terms of payments. Must comply with federal truth-in-lending and state retail installment requirements. In the case of home study schools, must comply, at the minimum, with federal truth-in-lending requirements where the student is not a resident of the state of Connecticut.
(8) Starting and ending dates: scheduled class starting and ending dates. In the case of home study schools, the scheduled class starting and ending dates may be done through an addendum so long as such addendum is incorporated and attached as part of the enrollment agreement.
(9) Class schedule: all day, morning, afternoon, evening or other time of class attendance. In the case of home study schools, the schedule of when lessons received by mail are to be completed and returned by mail must be stated.
(10) Termination by school: grounds for termination by the school prior to completion (such as insufficient academic progress, nonpayment, failure to comply with published school rules and regulations).
(11) Cancellation or termination by student: how to cancel or voluntarily terminate.
(12) Refund policy: details of how the school's tuition and other fees refunded prior to completion of the program or course are computed.
(13) Employment assistance: employment guarantee disclaimer.
(14) Acknowledgments: acknowledgment that the student has read and received a completed copy of the enrollment agreement and such other documents as appended thereto. In the case of home study schools, an enrollment agreement shall not be deemed completed until the authorized school official has signed the student submitted enrollment agreement and has sent to the student a copy of the enrollment agreement duly signed by both the student and the school official.
(15) Signatures: date and signature of student and acceptance date and signature of appropriate school official authorized to sign enrollment agreement. A copy of the school's enrollment agreement shall be filed with the application.