A recently published opinion article by HLF president Mario H. Lopez shines light on a onerous new regulation coming from the Department of Education that will severely limit access to online learning programs. Sadly, a win for the department will be a loss for students. From the piece:
The growth of the online education environment is the most promising means of expanding educational opportunities, providing options that help students outside of the long-standing model overcome obstacles and get the education that the modern labor market requires. Over the past decade, the rapid expansion of online offerings has made education possible for students who previously might have been unable to cross certain barriers. Students no longer must relocate or travel long distances to attend schools that offer the right programs and degrees. Online platforms also make it possible for students who had put their education on hold to return and get their degree later.
By targeting the freedom of universities to contract with third-party companies that manage online programming, the Department of Education is creating an environment where students will have less options that serve their needs. This is a counterproductive path that hurts students, burdening them economically and limiting their educational (and thus, economic) opportunities.
HLF previously filed public comments to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona about the department’s regulatory zeal in this area.
