Washington, D.C. — The Higher Education Act (HEA), the main law governing higher education in America is due for an upgrade. But the newly reintroduced HEA, unveiled last week by the House Committee on Education and Workforce, falls far short of addressing the pressing accountability, quality, and equity issues entrenched in our system of higher education, according to a new CAP column.
“This bill is a one-two punch for students and borrowers,” said Ben Miller, senior director for Postsecondary Education at CAP. “It fails to address the very real problems that currently plague our higher education system. Instead, it targets safeguards that protect students from being ripped off while ignoring growing racial and economic disparities in education access and outcomes.”
Fortunately, the Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity through Education Reform (PROSPER) Act marks the beginning of what will hopefully be a lengthy process, providing time for the bill to receive the substantial revision America’s students need.
The column offers analyses of the bill’s main provisions, broken into sections addressing accountability; affordability; quality assurance; U.S. Department of Education structure and operation; and apprenticeships. Over the coming weeks, CAP will continue studying the bill to offer in-depth analyses on specific provisions.
Click here to read the column, “What you need to know about the House Higher Education Act Bill.”
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Kyle Epstein at [email protected] or 202.481.8137.