The U.S. House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development held a hearing last week to discuss the need for innovation and better data in higher education to improve accountability and student outcomes, Inside Higher Ed reported.
During the hearing, Republican lawmakers criticized the growth of non-teaching staff positions on campuses, rising tuition costs, and the general state of American higher education. Democrats emphasized the importance of holding bad actors accountable, particularly for-profit institutions, and expressed concern about the Republicans' vision for higher education.
The discussion revolved around reauthorizing the Higher Education Act, touching on ideas to expand the Pell Grant to short-term programs, implement accountability metrics for all institutions, rethink accreditation, and reform the student loan system. The panel also discussed the concept of risk sharing, where colleges and universities would co-sign student loans, making them responsible if students cannot pay.
The panel touched on the imperfect information available to students when choosing higher education programs, which makes the market for higher education different from other markets. Democrats supported the Biden administration's proposed gainful employment rule to provide more information to students about program quality, but there were differing opinions on creating a list of programs with low financial value.
The hearing also covered transparency about college costs and the impact of declining state support on rising tuition were also discussed. Lawmakers considered the connection between quality and price and explored ways institutions can change for the better to benefit students and taxpayers. Some raised concerns about limiting student borrowing based on future earnings and its potential impact on liberal arts education, Inside Higher Ed reported.
Related Links
The U.S. House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development Hearing
https://edworkforce.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=409427
Inside Higher Ed
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/government/2023/07/28/house-subcommittee-explores-how-lower-cost-college