Resources
Higher Learning Advocates’ federal policy resources include the most current data on adult students, parenting students, college affordability, equity, and more. Our work has resulted in positive change for today’s students, including access to discounted broadband for Pell students, the establishment of emergency aid funds, and increased financial aid for parenting students.
Exploring Key Questions: Program-Level Repayment for Higher Education Accountability
A growing number of advocates and policy experts believe that institutions of higher education should be held accountable for repayment rates based on their specific program of study within the institution. To take a deeper look at how program-level repayment might be used as a tool for greater accountability and transparency, Higher Learning Advocates commissioned this…
Public Comment on Quality and Innovation at U.S. Department of Education Hearing
Bipartisan advocacy group urges the Department of Education to offer regulatory changes “through the lens of putting student outcomes first” WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 6, 2018) — Emily Bouck, Policy and Advocacy Director at Higher Learning Advocates, testified at a hearing held by the U.S. Department of Education today as it considers a negotiated rulemaking process that…
Higher Learning Advocates Submits Comments Opposing Repeal of Gainful Employment Rule
For Immediate Release: September 13, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 13, 2018) — Today, Higher Learning Advocates submitted comments in response the U.S. Department of Education’s proposal to repeal the Gainful Employment rule, a federal regulation that holds certain programs at institutions of higher education accountable based on the earning metrics of their graduates. In the written…
The Keys to Quality: Reforming Higher Education Accreditation Policy
The key to assuring higher education quality in the U.S. is accreditation, the complex system used by the Federal government as a gate-keeping mechanism to over $130 billion annually in federal student aid. But federal accreditation policy has become almost entirely focused on compliance and bureaucratic procedures, instead of what counts: student outcomes and results.…
Defining High-Quality Higher Learning
With a growing public focus on the value of higher education and new providers serving today’s students, Higher Learning Advocates releases new principles outlining the key hallmarks of quality in postsecondary education with a new brief called “Defining High-Quality Higher Learning.”
101: NACIQI
What is NACIQI? Established by a Congressional statue in 1992 and maintained in the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, NACIQI is responsible for overseeing the federal accreditation recognition process for institutions of higher education and accrediting agencies. Although the decision ultimately rests with the Secretary of Education, this advisory panel provides recommendations on which…
101: Higher Education and the Triad
What is the Triad? The process of regulating and guaranteeing the quality of higher education in the U.S. is complex and involves a number of distinct parties. The Higher Education Act (HEA) designates three separate entities—states, accreditation agencies, and the U.S. Department of Education (ED)—that must grant institutions of higher education (IHEs) approval in order…
101: Postsecondary Data
What is postsecondary data? Postsecondary data captures information related to institutions of higher education (IHEs) – including colleges, universities, and technical and vocational programs – as well as students and their outcomes. This information may include institutional metrics, such as tuition and fees, and student-centered metrics, like admissions, enrollment, financial aid, completion, and employment outcomes.…
State Profiles
State profiles feature key data points, visual infographics, and brief explanations of all 50 states, and are a quick and easy resource for policymakers, analysts and media.