However, after failing an informal phone interview with the Sacramento-based California Massage Therapy Council, she was denied certification. Zhang, alongside five other Asian students, say they were rejected because of their English language skills.

The Asian American Advancing Justice Southern California, who is representing the six students, alleges CAMTC refused to give certification citing concerns about English proficiency. Concerns were allegedly first expressed after a group of Chinese students were speaking their native language in class.

“The school did not mention anything about English having to be the mother language for a student,” Zhang said. “They did not mention that requirement. Then after finishing the study, I was told (by) the school that I had a problem.”"

Read the Full Story Here

Discrimination Watch

ACLU Says Nevada State Board of Massage Therapy is wrongfully denying licensure for Asian Women (August 2024 - Story below under State News)

Editorial - State Boards Shouldn't Set Language Proficiency Rules for Professional Certification

Update 8/22/2024

Texas District Court Judge Strikes Down Ban on Non Competes Nationwide

Update 7/3/2024

Federal Judge partially blocks U. S. Ban on Non Competes

The Federal Trade Commission used empirical research on how non-compete agreements affect competition and received over 26,000 public comments to adopt its final rule addressing these agreements. 

The final rule states that non-competes are an unfair method of competition and therefore a violation for employers to enter into non-compete cluses with workers on or after the effective date, thus adopting a comprehensive ban on any new non-competes with all workers.  

For workers who are not senior executives, existing non-compete agreements are no longer enforceable after the final rule's effective date.  

Employers with existing non-compete agreements must provide notice to workers that they are no longer enforceable after the final rule's effective date. The final rule's expected effective date is September 4, 2024.  

Once the rule is effective, workers can report information on a suspected violation of the rule to the Bureau of Competition by emailing noncompete@ftc.gov . 

It comes with an extremely heavy heart to send out this notification. Due to circumstances beyond our control, driven by the loss of viable student financing programs in the market, MPower Career Training / Allied Health Career Institute is not able to continue offering classes and will be shutting down operations effective immediately.   We have worked around the clock and have made every attempt to resolve the financial shortfalls, however, we were not able to find a solution.  As of today, Mpower/AHCI will not be able to continue teaching any classes and will be shutting down as a school.

We understand this will create a lot of questions and concern.  We are working with the school postsecondary board in your state on your behalf and they will follow up with you about your student records, resolve any outstanding financial obligations and/or refunds, and potentially be referred to another school for a teach out.  Please give the state board a couple days to review your file and make contact with you.  If we hear anything regarding your status or have any updates to give before the state board contacts you, we will send out an announcement. 

We at Mpower are devastated by the situation we find ourselves in.  We deeply appreciate our students and the hard work that you all have put to your program.  We sincerely apologize for the disruption and inconvenience this is sure to cause.

Regretfully,

The Mpower Career Training / Allied Health Career Institute / Mpower Education"

Read more about Hand & Stone's Relationship with MPower Education

The Arizona Private Postsecondary Board is holding two virtual town hall meetings this week.  See the board's statement and town hall links here.