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Legislative and Regulatory Action

Delaware Legislature sets Higher Bar for Teacher Preparation

By Tim Weldon | Friday, May 17, 2013 at 11:42 am

Effective teaching is the cornerstone of student achievement in our classrooms. Around the country the call has gone out to strengthen standards for teacher preparation in colleges and universities. Delaware’s legislature has responded, enacting a bill on Thursday that, if signed by Gov. Jack Markell, will raise the bar to qualify for admission to a state teacher education program. Markell praised the passage of Senate Bill 51 in a press release.

Postsecondary Education Common Theme in Gubernatorial Speeches

By Tim Weldon | Thursday, March 1, 2012 at 9:20 am

In an analysis of 43 State of the State speeches this year, The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) reports 39 governors mentioned higher education. The most common themes included higher education’s role in economic and workforce development, greater attention to public-private partnerships, and an expanded role for community and technical colleges.

Step up or get out: Iowa plan could keep hundreds from becoming teachers

By Tim Weldon | Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 8:53 pm

A proposal by Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad to strengthen requirements to enter postsecondary teacher education programs could disqualify hundreds of aspiring teachers. Branstad’s plan would require all students enrolled in college to maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average – a B – or be denied admission to teaching programs.

College Policies about Sexual Assaults

By Nancy Vickers | Monday, November 14, 2011 at 3:26 pm

In the aftermath of the child sexual abuse charges that have rocked Penn State, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett asked state legislators to review and toughen reporting requirements about sexual assaults against children. This unfortunate situation might raise concerns about how colleges and universities are prepared to prevent and deal with sexual assaults against students.

Feds tighten clamps on for-profit colleges

By Tim Weldon | Monday, June 13, 2011 at 8:56 am

Although students at for-profit institutions represent just 12 percent of all higher education students, they account for more than a quarter of all student loans and nearly half of all student loan dollars in default, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

For-profit vocational and technical colleges have been widely criticized for allegedly targeting students who can’t afford to pay the costs of traditional post-secondary education and not providing adequate training to give students job skills they will need for careers.

"While for-profit schools have profited and prospered thanks to Federal dollars, some of their students have not. This is a disservice to students and taxpayers, and undermines the valuable work being done by the for-profit education industry as a whole," U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said.

So on June 1, the Obama Administration unveiled regulations requiring career college programs to better prepare students for "gainful employment" or risk losing access to Federal student aid.