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Lambda School fined $75k by CA for operating without state approval [pdf]

bppe.ca.gov

11–20 of 364 posts

Re: Lambda School fined $75k by CA for operating without state approval [pdf]

#11
It’s true. Our counsel informed us that we didn’t need to register. Counsel was wrong. Now we have new counsel :)

We’ve submitted all the paperwork and have worked closely with California. This all happened a long time ago.

I’m not sure what the right level of regulation is (it’s hard taking care of 50 states at once - one state registration was 2,277 pages and weighed 25 pounds https://twitter.com/austen/status/1153450365712388096?s=21), but it’s reasonable that it would be regulated somehow.

Re: Lambda School fined $75k by CA for operating without state approval [pdf]

#12
post #3

honestly, fuck california.

For what, trying to protect people from being swindled by people claiming to give an education but not? I for one am happy that my state requires people claiming to run schools to go through some sort of vetting process.

Re: Lambda School fined $75k by CA for operating without state approval [pdf]

#13
post #9

Their only penalty was $75,000? Sounds like "ask for forgiveness not permission" worked out pretty well for them here. I assume they also have to come into compliance to avoid further fines, but given that they provide a legit educational service, that shouldn't be too hard for them.

This is a first offense. As mentioned in the black box near the end of the letter, things can escalate quickly.

Re: Lambda School fined $75k by CA for operating without state approval [pdf]

#14

Nuts that the state has the right to block this kind of thing. What foolishness is that?

There have been plenty of instances of private, for-profit schools that operate in a predatory manner. States have a legitimate interest in regulating potentially predatory behavior. So-called code bootcamps are not special in this regard.

Re: Lambda School fined $75k by CA for operating without state approval [pdf]

#15

It’s true. Our counsel informed us that we didn’t need to register. Counsel was wrong. Now we have new counsel :) We’ve submitted all the paperwork and have worked closely with California. This all happened a long time ago. I’m not sure what the right level of regulation is (it’s hard taking care of 50 states at once - one state registration was 2,277 pages and weighed 25 pounds https://twitter.com/austen/status/1153…

Glad you got it sorted out!

Re: Lambda School fined $75k by CA for operating without state approval [pdf]

#16
post #13
post #9

Their only penalty was $75,000? Sounds like "ask for forgiveness not permission" worked out pretty well for them here. I assume they also have to come into compliance to avoid further fines, but given that they provide a legit educational service, that shouldn't be too hard for them.

This is a first offense. As mentioned in the black box near the end of the letter, things can escalate quickly.

Their founder mentioned elsewhere in this thread that they are working with the state to get into compliance as soon as they got this notice. Looks like they weren't even trying to skirt the law, they just got bad advice.

Re: Lambda School fined $75k by CA for operating without state approval [pdf]

#17

It’s true. Our counsel informed us that we didn’t need to register. Counsel was wrong. Now we have new counsel :) We’ve submitted all the paperwork and have worked closely with California. This all happened a long time ago. I’m not sure what the right level of regulation is (it’s hard taking care of 50 states at once - one state registration was 2,277 pages and weighed 25 pounds https://twitter.com/austen/status/1153…

Glad you got that sorted out. Lambda school does seem to be "one of the good guys" out there in this market, so I'm glad to see you're taking the steps to keep that reputation.

Re: Lambda School fined $75k by CA for operating without state approval [pdf]

#18

It’s true. Our counsel informed us that we didn’t need to register. Counsel was wrong. Now we have new counsel :) We’ve submitted all the paperwork and have worked closely with California. This all happened a long time ago. I’m not sure what the right level of regulation is (it’s hard taking care of 50 states at once - one state registration was 2,277 pages and weighed 25 pounds https://twitter.com/austen/status/1153…

Not directing this at you, but to all - this is a concrete example of why you shouldn’t blindly trust legal (or medical, or spiritual) advice. Ask questions, make sure you understand, and think critically. No one is infallible.

Re: Lambda School fined $75k by CA for operating without state approval [pdf]

#19
post #12
post #3

honestly, fuck california.

For what, trying to protect people from being swindled by people claiming to give an education but not? I for one am happy that my state requires people claiming to run schools to go through some sort of vetting process.

The vetting process and requirements for compliance likely makes it harder for schools who have alternative methods of teaching to be able to experiment and find better solutions to the problem. This pushes innovation in this field out of your state, which you may be okay with as long as people aren't getting swindled. But there's always a cost to these things.

Re: Lambda School fined $75k by CA for operating without state approval [pdf]

#20
post #12
post #3

honestly, fuck california.

For what, trying to protect people from being swindled by people claiming to give an education but not? I for one am happy that my state requires people claiming to run schools to go through some sort of vetting process.

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