During a conference call between the US Secretary of Education and reporters as published in an article in Chronicle Journal of Higher Education on November 5, 2013 (please click here to read the whole article). Basically there are three points raised by the reporters on the application of CAR.

1. Data aren’t good enough to calculate the rating.
2. Ratings will penalize colleges that serve the neediest students; and
3. Ratings will punish colleges and students for factors they cannot control.

In this page, we are going to discuss the third point.  The statement itself is not correct:  CAR will not punish anybody including the students.  In fact, the regulation is introduced to protect students’ and the colleges’ interests.  There is no punishment and no one will be harmed by the CAR.  The regulation itself is geared to encourage and to protect both students’ and colleges’ long-run interests.  Students are encouraged to work harder, smarter and tactful toward learning and finishing their study as it supposed to in term of the completion time.  Colleges as service providers are expected to deliver the best quality of instructions at the best values.  That is all.  If there is any factor beyond one’s control, then it will be handled case by case.  However, ill motivations will not be part in the equation.  Both US colleges and students have to stop with all the excuses, whining and blaming games.   Take charge of your future in responsible ways.  In order to keep everyone in line, the US needs a compliance agency to ensure that every players in the education industry to comply with the rule of the game.  The current accreditation agencies have failed to accomplish their job.  The US needs Education Standard and Compliance Commissions (ESCC).  Does the CAR reflect the accreditation agencies such as those listed below have not achieved their objective optimally?

1. Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools – Educational institutions in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, as well as schools for American children in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
2. New England Association of Schools and Colleges – Educational institutions in the six New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont).
3. North Central Association of Colleges and Schools – Educational institutions in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
4. Northwest Accreditation Commission for primary and secondary schools and Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities for postsecondary institutions in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
5. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools – Educational institutions in Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and Texas.
6. Western Association of Schools and Colleges – Educational institutions in California, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Micronesia, Palau, and Northern Marianas Islands, as well as schools for American children in Asia.

Please tell us do you guys think, the US needs another watch dog such as ESCC?