“Diploma Mill” bill passes senate by a vote of 38-0 Bayshore Courier News Posted:02/24/10
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Monmouth County, NJ - The bill requires that in order for a public school employee to receive tuition assistance for coursework or a completion of a degree that the college or university be fully accredited. This bill was created in response to school employees using on-line "diploma mill" programs to increase their salaries.
The 12th District Legislators are please to announce that S-826, known as the "Diploma Mill Bill" was passed Feb 22 in the State Senate according to the press release.
"The passage of this bill is essential," said Senator Jennifer Beck, "as it directly affects what New Jersey residents are paying for school employees' salaries. While there is no problem with compensating people for hard work and additional education that only benefits our students, it is simply wrong to reward people with taxpayer dollars when no reward was earned. It is gratifying to see the State Senate stand behind that ideal."
The full Assembly will vote on the bill sponsored by Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande during its voting session this Thursday. The Assembly previously voted and passed the bill during last session, but due to the constraints of the lame duck session, the Senate had not had a chance to vote on the bill before the end of the session.
"This bill has had significant support along the way," said Casagrande, "and I'm glad to see it moving forward so quickly at the start of this session. It is vital, especially during such economically dire times, that we get what we pay for. New Jersey students deserve the best, and it is up to us to provide that. This bill will mean that anyone working at a school using the title of Doctor has done the work and has the knowledge that entitles them to that title."
"Most of our school employees have the kind of integrity and work ethic that we want to see instilled in our children," said O'Scanlon, "This bill will serve as protection for the taxpayers from those few who are not as discerning in their judgments. The bill also stops diploma mills from taking advantage of those well-meaning individuals who sincerely believe they are getting a legitimate degree only to end up with what amounts to nothing more than a piece of paper."
