A U.S. House Education and Labor subcommittee held a hearing last Thursday to discuss strategies to improve student outcomes as part of the chamber's efforts to reauthorize the Higher Education Act (HEA). The Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Investment hearing focused on the effects of college non-completion and the costs involved for students, Politico reported
"As this Committee continues its work to expand college access, we must also ensure that today’s students have the support they need to complete college and enjoy the life changing benefits of a college degree," said Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA), chairman of the panel.
"Congress has a responsibility to ensure that today's college students have the support they need to make it to graduation day, otherwise we will continue to leave far too many students without a degree, struggling with student loans that they cannot repay," she added.
Witnesses included Susan Dynarski, a professor from the University of Michigan; David Rudd, president of the University of Memphis; Pam Eddinger, president of Bunker Hill Community College; and Kyle Ethelbah, director of federal TRIO programs at the University of Utah.
Meanwhile, Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, plans to release draft HEA legislation by the end of the month, a committee aide told Politico. Sen. Alexander has previously stated that he wanted the committee to markup a bill in May.
Related Links
The Cost of Non-Completion: Improving Student Outcomes in Higher Education
https://edlabor.house.gov/hearings/the-cost-of-non-completion-improving-student-outcomes-in-higher-education_
Politico
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/morning-education/2019/05/09/house-panel-to-drill-down-on-student-outcomes-434312