Joe Mehlmann

Blog

Compliance courses such as Maxknowledge offers are a great start to understanding the importance of compliance for all personnel in our industry. I recommend that admissions personnel receive training and information on the specific compliance/regulatory entities that govern your institution. There are specific regulations and accrediting standards/criteria from your accrediting body and state licensing agency that can be printed, distributed, discussed etc., with admissions and other personnel.

Joe Mehlmann

Discussion Comment

Instructor Variance

Donald, This type of industry sounds like a great field for graduate placement. If you have not submitted a variance request before, I suggest you find as qualified a candidate (s) as possible prior to submitting for approval. You could also call the TWC for guidance first. They can't tell you approved/unapproved until they review the variance instructor application but they would likely provide good input. JP Mehlmann

Joe Mehlmann

Discussion Comment

Annual Enrollment and Outcomes Reporting

Doris, That is correct. Career Services/Placement personnel need a thorough understanding of this and must maintain accurate records including a TWC completer follow up form for each and every graduate. JP Mehlmann

Joe Mehlmann

Discussion Comment

Progress Policies

Doris, The 2nd part of this question is : what are the minimum requirements for graduation? Most school graduation requirements are linked to satisfactory progress policies such as graduating with a 2.0 min. GPA and meeting attendance requirements. JP Mehlmann

Joe Mehlmann

Discussion Comment

Instructor Variance

Doris, Yes, that is often true that some instructors excel without a degree. However, instructors in diploma programs at TWC approved schools need not have a degree. The requirements vary by credential offered at your school (as well as by type of program - court reporting, truck driving and other programs have specific requirements- see the TWC regs). The question of what type of situations merit a variance request is something you need to consider when you have a position to fill. JP Mehlmann

Joe Mehlmann

Discussion Comment

Annual Enrollment and Outcomes Reporting

Marilyn , Building and maintaining relationships with students is key to minimimizing instances where graduates avoid you later. While TWC staff are a resource for questions regarding the report, the report instructions clearly describe how to handle data for graduates that you cannot contact. I suggest you thoroughly review the instructions for the Annual Enrollment and Outcomes Report on the TWC CSC Forms website (form PS-072I). If you cannot verify that a graduate is working in their field of study (or a related field), then you have no other choice but to count them in the Other category which includes… >>>

Joe Mehlmann

Discussion Comment

Annual Enrollment and Outcomes Reporting

Brent, Good response. Documentation is key. And make sure the individual TWC completer follow up forms are complete and match up (in the aggregate) with the annual report. JP Mehlmann

Joe Mehlmann

Discussion Comment

Progress Policies

Brent, Sounds good. You may have seen from the other comments, it is important to give the student feedback on their progress early enough so they can rebound and still pass the course/program. JP Mehlmann

Joe Mehlmann

Discussion Comment

Best Practices for Applications

Brent, The occasional or isolated paperwork error likely won't hurt your working relationship with TWC - but it will delay the processing of your paperwork. However, repeated errors could result in questions and/or closer scrutiny of operations - especially at your annual TWC CSC visit. JP Mehlmann

Joe Mehlmann

Discussion Comment

Instructor Variance

Brent, Are you referring to someone who successfully taught in our industry but does not meet the TWC CSC requirements? If so, you may be able to include documentation of successful teaching, such as positive student surveys, graduate passage of certification exams, etc. In any event, you want to be sure to review the variance requirements thoroughly, prior to submission, There are many items that must be included with the request. JP Mehlmann