Brenda Brooks dropped out of college 40 years ago. Federal rules mean she can’t afford to go back.

Brenda Brooks dropped out of college 40 years ago. Federal rules mean she can’t afford to go back.

Lately, Englewood native Brenda Brooks has had a tough time finding work. The 60-year-old has decades of experience at CVS and the historic Regal Theater in Avalon Park. But recently, prospective employers have told her, “ ‘You have the quali...
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News


Our news, editorial, and analysis on federal policy surrounding higher education’s most pressing issues.

Today’s Students Deserve an Overhaul of the Higher Education Act

The nation’s signature higher education law, the Higher Education Act (HEA), hasn’t been updated since 2008—before the peak of the last financial crisis and the advent of countless new technologies. Executive Director Julie Peller and Policy & Advocacy Director Emily Bouck co-authored an op-ed in U.S. News & World Report ou...
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Education Dive: Nontraditional students gaining steam in higher ed discussions

“A new higher education advocacy group — Higher Learning Advocates — has emerged to specifically focus on nontraditional students and federal education policies addressing them.”
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November News and Updates

November News: Bridging the Gap Between Today’s Students and Federal Policy At its debut event last week, Higher Learning Advocates brought student voices to the fore during a discussion about the gap between the current system of higher education and what today’s students need. John Englehart, a member of UMUC’s Class of 2017 and...
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New Framework Calls for Retooling Higher Education Policy to Serve Today’s Students and Workforce Needs

Higher Learning Advocates released its policy framework, outlining policy ideas for shifting the focus of federal policy from higher education to higher learning by ensuring high-quality outcomes, focusing on today’s students and creating a more affordable and responsive system of education and training beyond high school.
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October News and Updates

October News and Updates

Join us on 10/30 for our debut event: Mismatched? Is there a divide between what today’s students need and what higher education policy has to offer? Join us on Oct. 30 at the National Press Club as we explore this topic and hear from Kavitha Cardoza of Education Week and PBS NewsHour, Rio Salado President…
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Why It’s Time to Rethink Higher Education Regulations

After a bombshell Inspector General report that had advocates for higher education innovation shaking their heads, Julie took to the pages of EdScoop to make the case for why it’s time to rethink higher education regulations to better serve today’s students.
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Higher Learning Advocates Testifies on Regulatory Reform

Higher Learning Advocates Executive Director Julie Peller delivered testimony at a U.S. Department of Education hearing on higher education regulations that may be appropriate for repeal, replacement, or modification. Peller urged the Department to redesign regulations to better meet the needs of today’s students and focus on outcomes and qua...
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New Player in Higher Education Advocacy Expands Bipartisan Team with New Talent

Higher Learning Advocates announces former Rubio staffer and veteran education communicator to lead communications and policy campaigns.
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Julie Peller Speaks at Forum on 21st Century Skills Training

Julie Peller, Executive Director of Higher Learning Advocates, participated in a forum hosted by the New Democrat Coalition on July 19, 2017. The panel’s focus included 21st century skills training and workforce development, and Julie spoke to the changing landscape of postsecondary education and its intersection with ensuring students gain the s...
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Principles for Quality Assurance Reform

Principles for Quality Assurance Reform

The time to rethink the nation’s system of quality assurance is now. Today’s students and providers are different than those for whom our nation’s laws were written. Higher learning is ever more critical for economic success. And, students, taxpayers, and policymakers are asking “what do we get out of higher learning?” The problems with o...
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Announcing Higher Learning Advocates

Announcing Higher Learning Advocates

Today, I am pleased to announce the opening of Higher Learning Advocates, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. that supports and advances policy changes that increase postsecondary attainment. Higher Learning Advocates is shifting federal policy from higher education to higher learning. We are focused on quality outcomes for today’s...
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New Higher Education Policy Group Forms

Inside Higher Ed
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Read the HLA blog on Medium