DC Shuttle …
Senate bill would promote reverse transfer of credits. Senators Kay Hagan (D-NC) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced legislation to support associate degrees for students who transfer between institutions without attaining a degree. The Correctly Recognizing Educational Achievements to Empower (CREATE) Graduates Act would encourage states to establish or expand “reverse transfer” programs. The programs allow four-year colleges and universities to transfer credits back to a community college where a student was originally enrolled. Eligible students will be able to obtain an associate degree as they work to complete a four-year degree or enter the job market, the Charlotte Observer reported.
FCC chair releases E-Rate proposal. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Tom Wheeler circulated his plan for revamping the E-Rate program in preparation for a July 11 meeting. Wheeler proposed spending $1 billion next year and another $1 billion in 2016 to put Wi-Fi networks in schools and libraries, according to The Hill and an FCC blog post.
Senate bill to simplify FAFSA. Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced a bill to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form. The goal of the bill is to reduce the application form to two pages. The legislation would reduce the federal aid eligibility form to two questions: what is your family size and what was your income two years ago. Research has shown that those two questions will correctly award aid to somewhere between 90% and 95% percent of students, the senators said. Known as the Financial Aid Simplification and Transparency, or FAST Act, the bill would also streamline grants, loans and repayment options and make Pell Grants available for year-round education. It could be included in a larger reauthorization effort for higher education law. Alexander and Bennet said they showed their proposal to Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Tom Harkin (D-IA) who is expected to unveil broad Higher Education Act reauthorization.
Ed Department cracks down on for-profit Corinthian. The U.S. Department of Education announced that is will increase oversight of Corinthian Colleges, a group of for-profit institutions that was accused of misreporting graduation and postgraduate employment data.
Tufts and Brown partner with Navy to develop robot. Tufts and Brown universities announced they have partnered with the U.S. Navy on a research project to develop robots with a moral compass, according to the NEC Blog.
We publish the DC Shuttle each week featuring higher ed news from Washington collected by the New England Council, of which NEBHE is a member. This edition is drawn from the Higher Education Update in the Council’s Weekly Washington Report of June 23, 2014.
Founded in 1925, the New England Council is a nonpartisan alliance of businesses, academic and health institutions, and public and private organizations throughout New England formed to promote economic growth and a high quality of life in the New England region. The Council’s mission is to identify and support federal public policies and articulate the voice of its membership regionally and nationally on important issues facing New England. For more information, please visit: www.newenglandcouncil.com.
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