Letter to Ms. Sylvia Manning, President, The Higher Learning Commission

Letter

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged the Higher Learning Commission to reconsider its approval of Ashford University's request for accreditation. Earlier this week, the publicly-traded company Bridgepoint Education disclosed that the regional accreditor, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), had denied Ashford University in its bid for accreditation. WASC found that spending on student recruitment at Ashford University far outweighed the amount of money spent on student education.

"WASC denied Ashford University's accreditation stating that Ashford University had failed to demonstrate compliance with multiple aspects of WASC's standards of accreditation," said Durbin. "WASC further described concerns about Ashford University's retention and completion rates, alignment of resources and lack of sufficient faculty. Despite WASC's findings, the Higher Learning Commission continues to accredit Ashford University, which raises concerns about the Higher Learning Commission's own standards of accreditation."

In a separate letter to the President of Ashford University, Durbin asked what steps the University will be taking to address the concerns outlined in the WASC review. Specifically, Durbin requested information on plans to improve: current attrition levels, support for student achievement, and inadequate levels of degree completion; adequacy and alignment of resources with education purposes; adequacy of Ashford faculty model and role of faculty; and assessment of student learning and assuring academic rigor.

Finally, Durbin sent a letter to the WASC commending them for their decision saying: "Many of us in Congress are working to help raise the standards of postsecondary education. The propriety sector has grown faster than any other sector and warrants careful scrutiny. We have limited federal resources for student financial aid, making it imperative that participating institutions offer their students quality education, clear information about their financial obligations, and appropriate educational support. Accreditors can serve as effective partners in this effort."

Text of the letters below:

July 13, 2012

Ms. Sylvia Manning
President
The Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1413

Dear Ms. Manning:

The regional accreditor, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), recently denied Ashford University's application for accreditation, yet the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has accredited the same programs at Ashford. This development raises questions about the standards of accreditation WASC and HLC bring to the process and suggests the HLC accreditation findings ought to be reviewed.

As Ashford University's current regional accreditor, I urge you to perform careful review of Ashford University, reconsider your approval for its accreditation and make findings of your review public.

WASC denied Ashford University's accreditation stating that Ashford University had failed to demonstrate compliance with multiple aspects of WASC's standards of accreditation. WASC further described concerns about Ashford University's retention and completion rates, alignment of resources and lack of sufficient faculty. Despite WASC's findings, the Higher Learning Commission continues to accredit Ashford University, which raises concerns about the Higher Learning Commission's own standards of accreditation.

Many of us in Congress are working to help raise the standards of postsecondary education. The propriety sector has grown faster than any other sector and warrants careful scrutiny. We have limited federal resources for student financial aid, making it imperative that participating institutions offer their students quality education, clear information about their financial obligations, and appropriate educational support. The Higher Learning Commission can be an effective partner in this effort with a careful and transparent review of Ashford University's accreditation status.

Sincerely,

Richard Durbin
US Senator

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