3 Ways the Department of Education Can Help Higher Ed
Before you read any further, I’ll start out by stating this is in no way a partisan article. Whether you voted for or against our current administration, the fact is the republican party holds the majority of seats and controls the house and senate today. This is not an alternative fact. It is a substantiated fact. (Sorry, couldn’t resist).
All political affiliations aside, it’s a new era for our country, which means it’s a new era for higher education. Department of Education (DOE) leadership under the Obama administration pushed to expand Pell Grants and reform student lending, cracked down on for-profit colleges, and increased regulation and accountability universities had on student outcomes.
It’s still unclear what the new U.S. Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, specifically has in store for higher education. Her agenda for higher ed has not gotten the same attention as her passion for reforming K-12. Regardless, she has a tremendous opportunity to positively impact higher education in the United States. And these are some of the ways I think she can help.
1) Reward Innovation & Throw Out the “Rule Book”
Old-school rules and policies stifle innovation. The truth is, higher education isn’t innovating fast enough. Institutional bureaucracy is a big culprit as to why things are moving so slowly. If universities are afraid to try new things because of “rule books,” the United States will fall behind. If we want to move education forward, we need to be more willing to change, adapt and take risks. The U.S. Department of Education should encourage educators and technology providers to think outside of what’s been done. Instead, think about what can be done to enhance the way U.S. citizens teach, learn and communicate.
2) Communicate with University Students & Faculty
All too often decisions are made in the ivory tower. When policy decisions are being made, our new DOE should involve students, alumni and faculty to better understand their perspectives about the issues facing higher education today. It’s easy to use data for assessments and decision-making. But when administrators hear from the actual human beings behind those numbers and their stories first-hand, it’s easier to form connections and realize how policy decisions can truly affect people’s lives, access to higher education and how they learn best.
3) Encourage Investment in EdTech
Far too many students and faculty are suffering with outdated technology, which in turn, hinders their overall happiness, performance and student success. Universities need to be encouraged to invest in education technology that aligns and integrates with the technology they use every day. The DOE needs to find ways to help universities prioritize and modernize their technology. People learn in unique ways. Education is 24/7. And culture today mandates mobile. Students want the ability to engage in coursework on their terms. Busy students today will no longer accept a learning environment that requires them be somewhere at a certain time or sit behind a desk to participate.
It’s still too early to tell what the new administration has in store for higher education. But, our hope is the DOE’s new leadership will be open to collaboration with students and involving them in policy decisions discussions early on. Like most things these days, education also needs to be a personalized experience. If we want to move education forward, we need to be willing to change, adapt and take risks. Because as they say, never taking a risk is the biggest risk of all.
