Owens, experts call for accountability in higher ed

Congressman Burgess Owens, Western Governors University President Scott Pulsipher, and American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow Beth Akers say students deserve improved transparency and accountability in higher education.

Student Outcomes Prioritized

Higher education institutions should be held accountable for the economic value they provide to students, according to experts. Key metrics suggested include completion rates, post-graduation employment, and return on investment.

Congressman Owens advocated for a free market approach, stating, “We have to start thinking quite differently…Let’s bring the innovators to the plate.”

Transparency and Accountability Measures

Dr. Akers highlighted a significant barrier to transparency: “Lifting [the ban on merging IRS and Department of Education data], which is part of the legislation that we’re seeing today in both the House and the Senate, would enable us to have really the perfect data to hold institutions accountable.”

President Pulsipher emphasized the need for consistent, program-level accountability measures across all institutions. He argued that current regulations often hinder innovation by forcing conformity to traditional models instead of focusing on outcomes.

The experts agreed that while access for disadvantaged populations is crucial, it shouldn’t compromise accountability. Dr. Akers noted, “Giving someone access to enrollment at an institution with poor outcomes is not doing them any favors.”

Legislative Reform Needed

As new legislation is considered, the experts stress that meaningful reform in higher education accountability should be central. They call for policies that prioritize student outcomes, encourage innovation, and increase transparency for both students and taxpayers.