Cosmetology board defers decision on asynchronous distance education, asks Georgia Career Institute for detailed data

The Tennessee Cosmetology and Barber Examiners Board on Oct. 6 deferred a decision on a request by Georgia Career Institute to allow asynchronous (self‑paced) delivery of cosmetology theory, voting to ask GCI for detailed, redacted outcome and technical data and to return to the board in December.

Board members said they welcomed the institute’s proposal but were not ready to approve asynchronous delivery without evidence that it preserves academic integrity and public safety. Lauren Davis, chief operating officer of Georgia Career Institute, told the board that the proposal includes safeguards and said, “All final exams would be completed in person under the direct supervision of [an] instructor,” and that the learning-management and time‑clock technology “tracks and verifies actual seat time.”

The motion to request more data passed after more than three hours of presentations and questions. The board asked GCI and partner vendors to submit redacted examples of student engagement and attendance logs, pass/fail and completion rates for students taught with asynchronous methods in other states, documentation of backup timekeeping, evidence of safeguards against automated or AI‑assisted cheating (including “safe exam”…