Feds Go After DeVry for Deceptions

DC Shuttle …

Federal Agencies Take Action Against DeVry. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Education both took action against DeVry University last week for making misleading and deceptive claims. The FTC filed a lawsuit against DeVry, claiming that the institution made unsubstantiated claims about post-graduation job rates and wages. The Department of Education sent a notice of limitation to DeVry, requiring it to notify students about the unsubstantiated claims and preventing it from making any more, in order to continue to qualify for federal financial aid programs. Read more in Inside Higher Ed.

NSF Issues Statement Combating Harassment. The National Science Foundation (NSF) issued a statement reiterating its commitment to preventing harassment and discrimination in science. In the statement, the NSF, one of the main government funding agencies of science and engineering research, also threatened to withhold funding from higher education institutions that do not meet their legal requirements to combat harassment and discrimination under Title IX. NASA released a similar letter earlier this month.

Former Education Secretary Joins College Athletics Commission. The Chronicle of Higher Educationreported last week that former Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has joined the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, which works to balance athletics and academics on college campuses. Duncan was a captain of the Harvard University men’s varsity basketball team.

This Week in ESSA: Comment Period Closes. The public comment period closed for input on how the Department of Education should implement regulations of the new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Over 200 comments were filed on a variety of topics. Accountability and testing were among the most commented on aspects of regulation. Education Week and Education World each highlighted some of the most important comments, and the full list of comments can be found here.

This Week in ESSA: Department of Education Offers Transition Guidance. The Department of Education published a “Dear Colleague” to outline guidelines for the transition to ESSA, which does not fully go into effect until the 2017-18 school year. The letter touched on a number of topics, including test participation, English language learning, school improvement and No Child Left Behind waivers. Overall, the guidelines allow for more flexibility for states and districts as they move to ESSA.

This Week in ESSA: Private Schools Celebrate. The Washington Post reported last week that many private school officials are celebrating ESSA because it includes a provision requiring school districts to more equitably distribute Title I funds between students in public and private schools than No Child Left Behind did.