A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to testify at a U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee hearing on innovations in higher education affordability. You can watch the video here. It was an interesting morning marred by a long discussion of an essentially bogus idea: that college keeps getting more expensive because of onerous federal regulations.

Senator BarbContinue Reading »

Moonlighting. About 20 percent of teachers work an additional job outside of the classroom, in part, to make ends meet. That’s up 9 percent from 30 years ago. (Associated Press)

Free college courses. North Carolina high-schoolers will be able to enroll in community college courses for free, beginning in January. It’s an initiative set up by Gov. Bev Perdue, aimed at giving students a heaContinue Reading »

Teacher discipline based on test scores. Wisconsin lawmakers have approved a bill that would allow school officials to use student test scores in matters related to teacher discipline, including firing decisions. The bill was sent to Gov. Scott Walker. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

You think the housing market stinks? There’s not much savings to be had in school closings, and selling old Continue Reading »

Higher ed disclosure. Under the Higher Education Opportunity Act, which was reauthorized in 2008, colleges must provide Pell graduation rates, credit transfer information, employment placement, and textbook prices to prospective students. Armed with these stats and others, students will be able to make more informed choices during their college search. But a new report by Education Sector’s KevContinue Reading »