In the linked comment, the Center for American Progress shares thoughts about the Middle States Council on Higher Education’s (MSCHE) proposed policy regarding review of member institutions’ arrangements with third-party providers. While acknowledging MSCHE’s attention to this issue, CAP’s comment details concerns about the policy’s efficacy. Specifically, the policy could go further to address the financial, reputational, and academic integrity risks associated with outsourcing online higher education programs to for-profit companies, specifically online program managers. CAP urges MSCHE to provide clearer guidelines for the review and approval of written arrangements, especially those involving recruitment services. Finally, CAP encourages the accreditor to consider various indicators, such as enrollment levels and financial data, when assessing instances of excessive outsourcing to better protect students and institutions in the outsourced higher education market.
Read the full comment here.