Benchmark's license

I'm sure if you're a former or current Benchmark "student" you've wondered why Benchmark claims to be a school to outsiders, while at the same time, telling students it's a residential treatment program. Well, Here's the reason.

In order to avoid the more stringent regulations for programs (such as certified counselors, state oversight, and rights for clients), Benchmark filed a Private school affidavit with the state of California. Benchmark is neither licensed as a program, nor as a school.

Private School Affidavit

What exactly is a private school Affidavit?

"The Affidavit is a registration document. It is used to report annual information required by law from private, full-time day and boarding schools." -- Cali. DoE

So it isn't a license?

No. Furthermore:

"Filing pursuant to this section shall not be interpreted to mean, and it shall be unlawful for any school to expressly or impliedly represent by any means whatsoever, that the State of California, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Board of Education, the State Department of Education, or any division or bureau of the Department, or any accrediting agency, has made any evaluation, recognition, approval, or endorsement of the school or course unless this is an actual fact." -- California Education Code 33190 [emphasis added]

That's interesting. Because on Benchmark's NATSAP listing. It explicitly states:

"Accreditation, Licensure, Approval: California Private School Affidavit" - Benchmark's listing on NATSAP [emphasis added]

In case you're wondering, no, Natsap is not an accrediting agency. It's a trade organization. More information on NATSAP here.

Interestingly. It seems as if Benchmark didn't even file it's affidavit correctly. According to information freely obtainable from the DoE, Benchmark claims to have 10 full time teachers. According to every benchmark student i have talked to, Benchmark has no full time teachers at all. Florence Reynolds could possably qualify as a part time teacher since she assists students at Redlands Adult School, but I cannot understand how they arrived at the number 10. Even their educational staff page on their website only lists 4 people of which only one (Mona) has an associates degree.

Also, Benchmark claims to offer High School diplomas on it's affidavit, which is not true (diplomas are granted by Redlands Adult School, not Benchmark), although they do accurately state that there have been 0 graduates.

Links pertainant to California private school affidavits on the website of the Califorina Department of Education:

affidavit Form

affidavit FAQ

selected Private School Affidavit law.

full law for above link.

the entire California Education law.

Alcohol and Drug Program licensing:

"Residential facilities that provide non-
medical alcohol and/or other drug (AOD)
recovery, treatment, or detoxification
services to adults must be licensed by the
Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs
(ADP). Health and safety concerns are the
primary focus of the licensing process (e.g.,
fire clearance, food service, personnel
requirements, physical environment, and
personal rights). Nonresidential programs
are not required to be licensed."

From the California Alcohol and Drug Program licensing Fact sheet.

Interesting. Benchmark isn't in the ADP's listing of licensed programs. Redlands is in San Bernadino County. Odd. It's not listed. Well you may say, "well Benchmark isn't a program. It's a school."

Well that's interesting becuase Benchmark listed itself on it's NATSAP listing as a program.

And their substance abuse insert (as of 11/29/2006) clearly states:

If the student appears to fit the category for the not yet addicted, he or she will be immersed in our own recovery program. This includes working the 12-Steps of AA/NA and attending sobriety meetings (both on and off campus).

Funny. It would seem to me as if that would qualify as "recovery, treatment, or detoxification services".

Links pertainant to California Alcohol and Drug Program licensing

California Alcohol and Drug Program (ADP) Homepage

licensing and Certification FAQ

Califormia Code requiring licensing

California Health and Safety section 11834.01-18