MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Today, Representative Angelito Tenorio (D-West Allis), Ryan Clancy (D-Milwaukee), Ben DeSmidt (D-Kenosha), and Sen. Larson (D-Milwaukee) introduced the “Accountability for For-Profit Colleges” bill package.
This package was a direct result of legislative advocacy from public school advocates and victims of for-profit college scams. For-profit colleges, such as Arizona College of Nursing in Rep. Tenorio’s district, have a long-standing history of targeting and exploiting students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including students that are low-income, first-generation, veterans, and people of color. The result—crushing debt, non-transferrable credits, degrees without educational value, and broken dreams. This package provides a path for transparency and accountability for for-profit colleges.
Incemirra L. Pole, a victim of for-profit colleges and working mother of eight children shared her story, “As a single mother seeking to build a better future for my family, I was drawn in by their constant recruiting, promises of flexible schedules, and assurances that I could finish my education faster and begin working right away. Unfortunately, what I received instead was over $50,000 in student loan debt and credits that turned out to be useless once I tried to continue my education…My experiences have fueled my determination to advocate for fair access to education and accountability for predatory institutions that take advantage of working adults and parents like me.”
Rep. Tenorio said, “All of these bills have the same goal: to hold for-profit colleges accountable and protect students. It takes courage to pursue a postsecondary degree. This package makes sure that anyone embarking on that journey is protected from those that would take advantage of them.”
Rep. DeSmidt said, “I’m proud to have been a part of this bill package to crack down on predatory for-profit colleges. These bills will ensure greater accountability and transparency as bad actors often exploit veterans and students, putting their goals and career motivations at risk. Everyone deserves access to an honest education and these bills provide exactly that.”
Rep. Clancy said, “The existence of for-profit schools is a symptom of our failure to properly invest in public education. We must work towards a world where everyone gets the education they want and need without any risk of falling into debt, or winding up with a practically useless degree. For now, we must hold these for-profit institutions accountable.”
