Helping to set the stage for the forthcoming reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, the Task Force on Federal Regulation of Higher Education, whose members are Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), released a report on February 12 calling for streamlined federal regulation of colleges and universities.
The report responds to three key charges for the task force: providing specific recommendations for streamlining reporting requirements; quantifying time and costs associated with compliance; and recommendations for reform. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee held a hearing on February 24 to discuss the findings of the report.
Staff on the House Education and Workforce Committee intend to introduce a draft of the Higher Education Act as soon as the first week of March.