Policy Issues


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Partnership Working to Connect Degrees and Certifications

Workcred, a nonprofit organization focused on credentialing in the workforce, is partnering with the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and the University Professional and Continuing Education Association to help create opportunities for undergraduate students to earn certifications as part of their degree program.

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Senate Passes Bill to Streamline FAFSA Data Collection

The U.S. Senate passed a bill on Thursday to improve the way that the IRS and Department of Education communicate information for FAFSA applications.

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American Universities Are Next Battlefront for U.S.-China Tech Debate

The federal government is grappling with how to develop policies to curb Chinese economic espionage at American universities without falling into racial or ethnic profiling.

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Measuring True Post-College Employment Outcomes Is a Fool's Errand

There's no consistency in how employment data is collected or reported, according to a report recently produced by the Institute for College Access & Success. The result is a "patchwork" of data that makes comparing programs and colleges "nearly impossible."

Department of Ed Joins Top-10 Rank of FOIA Lawsuits

Department of Education Ranked in Top 10 of FOIA Lawsuits

A Freedom of Information Act project to measure the number of FOIA lawsuits filed against federal agencies has added the Department of Education to the top-10 list for the first time.

STEM education

Trump Administration Sets Five-Year Strategy for STEM Education

The National Science and Technology Council has released a new report outlining the nation's goals for STEM education over the next five years.

Senate Committee Approves Libraries Bill

The U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted unanimously Thursday to send the Museum and Library Services Act to the Senate floor.

graduation cap on pile of money

DeVos: Higher Ed in 'Crisis'

Betsy DeVos has raised what she called a "red warning flag" regarding student aid, which she referred to as "a crisis in higher education." Speaking during an annual training event for financial aid professionals, the head of the U.S. Department of Education made statements that suggested her agency would seek policy changes to remove the federal government from the business of student loans.

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Detailed Picture of 'Inequality of Opportunity' Emerges

Where kids grow up has a big impact on how well they'll do as adults. While that may sound obvious, a new program that brings together economists from Harvard University and Brown University and researchers from the U.S. Census Bureau has found that kids who grow up in the same community just miles apart end up with very different futures.

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Department of Ed Issues Guidance for Development of State Perkins Plans

In July 2018, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act was approved. Now states can review draft guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Education for how to develop and submit the plans that are a requirement under this rewrite of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education.