Substantial Misrepresentation
What examples come to mind as particularly prone, even inadvertently, to Substantial Misrepresentation? What measures can a school put into place to help ensure Substantial Misrepresentation does not occur?
I have heard and read many stories on the news and in blogs that we are to expensive and that our placement rates are non-existent.
Graduation and placement rates ... but while we know our numbers, sometimes we may inadvertently misrepresent some numbers to make prospective students comfortable in signing up. An example of that is when we used to have staff tell prospective student that our graduation rate is "pretty close to 90%" when in reality it was at 87%. The reasoning is that hearing that number of close to 90 sounds better than whats on paper. Not necessarily a lie, but not the exact truth either.
Keep all faculty up to date on such matter. Cover it at like Campus Effectiveness meetings, Program meetings, faculty in-services, etc.
Examples of statements that are prone to Substantial Misrepresentation would be any information that changes frequently. A representative of the school can make a statement working off data that is 2 months old and because it is outdated, they would be misrepresenting the school. Measures put into place - training when data is updated. Documents used with prospective students so the presenter has to see the data would be helpful as well.
Administrations need to keep and track accurate data. This information needs to be passed to the staff.
Certification exams,graduation rates,and placement rates.
I agree with Ruth all of those things can be misrepresented even unknowingly. Keeping very accurate record of number of graduates, number of graduates that obtained jobs in the field after graduation, number of graduates that continued their education, and the type of certificates students will receive after completion of the course. All of this should be given to all school personnel especially admissions. The instructors also need this information and need to keep it up dated because students will ask.
I refer students to people that are more knowledgeable about a topic than I am. For example, the registrar, financial aid office, career services, etc. I don't talk to students about topics if I am not confident in my answers. I am confident in my area of expertise, not others' areas of expertise.
Continuous training and updates can ensure that substantial mispresentation does not occur, since matters within the educational institution are constantly changing.
Placement rates, salary expectations. You cannot lead a student to belive that they're guarantted a job, and you have to be honest and realistic with them about what to expect as a salary.
I agree. Some of the Main Factors can easily be misrepresented. Graduation rates, placement rates, certification exams to name a few.
This course is a wonderful way to prevent this from happening. I have learned so much on handling questions the perspective and current students may have.
I completely agree with your comments. This program has definitely opened my eyes to potential misrepresentations that can inadvertently occur, despite your best intentions. I do believe this is very important for instructor to comprehend, but it has to start with the front door. Who are the students first speaking with? My understanding is that is the admissions representatives. They definitely need extensive training not only to meet the regulations, but to understand each individual program they are discussing with potential students.
Job placement rates, board exam passing rates, and individual program's equipment quality are examples that come to mind as particularly prone to substantial misrepresentation.
Schools could be sure to make things such as job placement rates easily accessible by posting them on a resource board in an area of the school that experiences high student traffic.
Pass rates can change frequently. Educating faculty and staff the importance of accuracy and weekly updates via email or meetings can keep everyone up to date.
Job placement is the first one to come to mind in regards to substantial misrepresentation. Keeping accurate statistics as well as having an up-to-date policies and procedures for staff to follow in regards to disclosure of information.
Placement rates, graduation rates, retention rates, accreditation standings, and certification exams that students can take.
What can schools do to prevent this? Educate their staff, like this program.
Training programs such as this for faculty and staff go a long way to help prevent substantial misrepresentation. More extensive training for admissions representatives, Campus Directors and Academic Deans would seem to be in order.
Pamela,
Thanks for your comments, this is excellent advice to the forum as misrepresentation, either verbally or in written format, can be inadvertent due to incorrect or outdated information and statistics.
Jay Hollowell
The information that is most misrepresented is gradation/retention statics as as well employment after graduation. Schools can avoid these pitfalls by making sure update their website with current information quarterly, in addition all pamphlets and other information should have up provide current information as well. Moreover, staff should be provide the most current consensus information or at directed to a key location where current information is provided.
