Several senators are urging the Department of Education to extend the deadline for colleges and universities to report student data under the Gainful Employment regulation. The regulation, which was enacted in 2014, requires institutions to report data on the employment and earnings of their graduates in order to ensure that students are receiving a quality education that leads to gainful employment.
The deadline for institutions to report this data is fast approaching, but many schools are struggling to meet the requirements due to the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) have sent a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, urging the department to extend the reporting deadline to allow schools more time to gather and report the necessary data.
In their letter, the senators highlighted the difficulties that schools are facing in collecting accurate and complete data during the pandemic, including disruptions to academic calendars, shifts to remote learning, and financial strains that have forced layoffs and furloughs. They also noted that many schools are still working to implement the necessary systems and processes to comply with the regulation, and that the original deadline does not provide enough time for them to do so.
The Gainful Employment regulation is an important tool for holding colleges and universities accountable for the educational outcomes of their students. By requiring institutions to report data on the employment and earnings of their graduates, the regulation aims to ensure that students are getting a high-quality education that prepares them for successful careers.
However, in order for the regulation to be effective, schools need to have enough time to gather and report accurate data. The senators are right to call for an extension of the reporting deadline to allow schools the time they need to comply with the regulation, especially in light of the additional challenges posed by the pandemic.
It is crucial that the Department of Education listen to the concerns of senators and give schools the flexibility they need to meet the requirements of the Gainful Employment regulation. By extending the reporting deadline, the department can help ensure that students are receiving a quality education that leads to gainful employment, even in the face of unprecedented challenges.
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