Michael Stratford
Inside Higher Ed
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Past articles by Michael:
Report Calls for Improved Oversight of Colleges
The U.S. Department of Education’s system for monitoring colleges for fraud and other problems is inadequate and needs to be retooled, says a new report by the Center for American Progress. The department’s efforts to see whether colleges are following existing laws and regulations are not useful in capturing systemic fraud or misconduct, especially at for-profit colleges, the report says. → Read More
Civil liberties and consumer groups sue Education Department for debt collection records
Federal lawsuit seeks to force the Education Department to provide information about its debt collection practices, including their impact on minority borrowers. → Read More
Education Department May Ban Mandatory Arbitration
The U.S. Department of Education is considering a proposal that would prohibit colleges from including mandatory arbitration clauses in their enrollment agreements with students, the department announced Friday. Department officials will include the proposal as part of the ongoing rule-making negotiations that are primarily focused on creating a new debt relief process for defrauded student loan… → Read More
What does Trump University show about state regulation of for-profit schools?
State regulators, not the federal government, were in the best position to crack down on Donald Trump's now-defunct educational venture, which has become a hot campaign issue. → Read More
Education Department Hires Former Top CFPB Official and Frequent Critic
The Obama administration looks to a former federal consumer protection official -- and frequent critic -- to help improve the federal student loan program. → Read More
U.S. Department of Education opens negotiations over new debt relief system for defrauded borrowers
Education Department starts negotiations over a new federal debt relief process -- and weighs new possible sanctions for risky colleges. → Read More
States cry foul over U.S. plan to curtail access to FAFSA student data
States worry that a Department of Education plan to curtail their access to data from the federal student aid form will cause headaches for state aid awards. → Read More
Top Education Dept. official who worked on college ratings reflects on tenure
A chief architect of the Obama administration’s College Scorecard and its recent executive actions on accreditation reflects on her tenure at the Education Department. → Read More
U.S. panel calls for 6-month extension for embattled California community college accreditor
Federal panel recommends limiting authority of controversial agency that accredits California's community colleges and giving it little time to resolve federal compliance issues. → Read More
Senators strike deal to revive expired Perkins Loan Program, with changes
Bipartisan agreement would renew the expired loan program for two years -- but with some new eligibility restrictions that concern colleges. → Read More
Education Department staff recommends sanctions for California community college accreditor
Education Department staff recommends sanctions for the accreditor of the state’s two-year colleges. → Read More
As he takes on traditional higher education, Rubio runs on policy wonkery
In the Senate, Marco Rubio delved into the weeds of higher education policy. Now he’s taking his reform push out on the campaign trail, where he is the lone GOP candidate talking about higher ed. → Read More
U.S. loosens part of its ban on college recruiter pay
The Obama administration loosens part of its ban on the types of bonuses colleges may pay admissions recruiters. → Read More
Lawmakers, government watchdogs question Education Department management of student loans
Lawmakers, government watchdogs question whether the Office of Federal Student Aid is up to the task of running the nation’s $1.2 trillion student loan system. → Read More
Obama administration, states reach major settlements with Education Management Corporation
WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration and a large coalition of state attorneys general announced on Monday a double hit against one of the nation’s largest for-profit education companies. Federal prosecutors said they secured a nearly $100 million settlement with the Education Management Corporation to resolve long-running allegations that the for-profit college chain illegally paid bonuses to… → Read More
Senate investigative panel opens inquiry about college accreditors
College accreditors are facing scrutiny on yet another front in Washington. As the Obama administration announces a set of executive actions and proposed legislative steps to toughen its oversight of the agencies, a U.S. Senate investigative committee has opened a sweeping inquiry into higher education accreditation, and lawmakers have started requesting records of individual accrediting… → Read More