Ted Mitchell: Access without excellence is not equity

Under Secretary of Education Ted Mitchell discussed the state of equity and excellence in higher education this week during the Education Writers Association meeting. He emphasized the benefits of innovation, but only if quality can be maintained.

By Tara García Mathewson • May 5, 2016

New Jersey lawmakers eyeing expensive college fees

A legislative hearing will focus on the mandatory fees public colleges and universities charge on top of tuition that significantly increase the cost of attendance.

By Tara García Mathewson • May 4, 2016

University of Minnesota faculty move to protect all speech

A committee has developed a series of recommendations for protecting speech on campus, including appointing a "free-speech advocate" to monitor investigations.

By Tara García Mathewson • May 4, 2016

Proposed teacher prep program rules draw criticism

The U.S. Department of Education has been collecting feedback on how proposed rules would impact distance learning programs, but critics say there should be consistent rules regardless of modality.

By Tara García Mathewson • May 3, 2016

Should presidential candidates consider performance-based funding?

Presidential candidates are making college debt a key element of their education platforms, but in the quest for institutional accountability, retention efforts may be a better focus area.

By Tara García Mathewson • May 2, 2016

MA commissioner of higher ed plans a stop to sick/vacation time payouts

Nearly 300 former higher education employees have received payouts of more than $50,000 for unused sick and vacation time.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 29, 2016

Public colleges relying more on state funding, less on tuition

The annual State Higher Education Finance Report shows, for the second year in a row, schools are getting a smaller portion of revenue from tuition and more from their states.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 28, 2016

IL governor picks faculty representative who doesn't agree with most faculty

Gov. Bruce Rauner selected a part-time instructor from the state’s flagship as the lone faculty representative on the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 27, 2016

UNC to avoid harsh punishments following paper class scandal

While the fake classes scandal at UNC Chapel Hill is arguably the worst academic-athletics scandal in recent memory, the NCAA will probably stay away from harsh punishments.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 27, 2016

Helping students choose 'responsible borrowing'

Western Governors University operates its financial aid office under the belief that students shouldn't take out loans just because they're eligible for them. 

By Tara García Mathewson • April 27, 2016

IL gov allows $600M in higher ed funding to get through budget standoff

The state House and Senate approved the funding measure last week and the governor’s signature means state colleges and universities will get the first state money of the fiscal year.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 26, 2016

White House drives $100M grant program to support free community college

The money will expand workforce training programs at community colleges, going to partnerships that connect schools, employers, and training programs like apprenticeships.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 26, 2016

UW-Madison faculty plan 'no confidence' vote on regents, president

Wisconsin once had what many called a model tenure policy and its loss has worried tenure advocates across the country.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 26, 2016

Georgia state rep sues Department of Ed over sexual misconduct guidance

Rep. Earl Ehrhart calls the department’s policies over sexual assault and harassment cases unconstitutional and says it has forced public schools to spend money unnecessarily.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 25, 2016

"Dear Colleague" letter targets accreditors

The letter outlines changes in the way accreditors should be monitoring the colleges they oversee to maintain eligibility for Department approval.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 25, 2016

Massachusetts offers tuition and fees rebate to students who persist

The Commonwealth Commitment provides a 10% rebate on tuition and fees at the end of each semester for students who start at community colleges and transfer to four-year schools.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 25, 2016

Testing and US News high school rankings: The week's most-read education news

This week, Education Dive took a look at the prevalence of testing in K-12 and a growing federal focus on reexamining the use of exams in schools. Also in K-12, US News and World Report issued its 2016 Best High Schools rankings, topped for the fifth consecutive year by the School for Talented an...

By Roger Riddell • April 22, 2016

Higher education's role in protecting pathways to the middle class

Excelsior College Assistant VP for Extended Education Christopher Gilmore lays out three ways higher ed continues contributing to social mobility.

By Christopher Gilmore • April 22, 2016

Connecticut senate approves financial aid for undocumented students

For the second year in a row, state lawmakers have approved financial aid for undocumented students, and the bill is expected to make it through the House this year.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 22, 2016

Judge denies CFPB right to demand documents from ACICS

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau had sued the for-profit accreditor after it refused to provide documents for an investigation, but the judge found in favor of the accreditor.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 22, 2016

Desire for international students forces many institutions to weigh revenue vs standards

As colleges and universities aggressively recruit international students, some faculty have raised concerns that they aren't academically prepared for English-language classes.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 22, 2016

Higher ed equity report shows continued gaps in degree attainment

A 2016 historical trends report finds that, despite gains, the top two income quartiles still earn 77% of all bachelor’s degrees attained in 2014.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 21, 2016

Mitchell grades Obama administration 'incomplete' on higher ed

The U.S. under secretary of education discussed the administration’s policies during the Arizona State University Global Silicon Valley Summit this week.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 21, 2016

Marketing could become the most expensive part of higher ed

Colleges and universities are spending more money on recruitment to cope with increasing competition for students, and it isn’t making their products any better.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 20, 2016

What institutions can do for students with serious medical needs

While students bear the burden of notifying their institution of serious medical conditions, campuses must create an environment where they're comfortable doing so.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 19, 2016