Rewriting the Higher Ed Act: ‘Too Much, Too Fast’? - Paul Fain, Inside Higher Ed

GOP’s Higher Education Act rewrite would give a boost to competency-based education, short-term certificates and alternative providers, but experts worry about the bill’s lack of safeguards. The Republican-led Congress's early attempt at rewriting the federal Higher Education Act uses incentives and deregulation to encourage new twists on college, including competency-based education, short-term programs and nonaccredited providers. Experts continue to absorb details about the complex bill from Republican leaders on the U.S. House of Representatives’ education committee, which on Tuesday voted to pass a 590-page version. Some applauded the innovation push but worry about the bill’s lack of “guardrails” that seek to keep low-quality offerings in check. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/12/14/house-gop-pushes-innovation-and-deregulation-higher-education-act-overhaul