The Impact of Trump's Administration on U.S. Higher Education
What legacy did President Donald Trump leave on the higher education landscape in the United States? While not openly vocal on his plans, significant regulatory shifts have transformed the sector under his tenure.
The 'Rethink' of Higher Education
President Trump's Department of Education convened a committee to negotiate new regulations for online education, accreditation, and protections for faith-based colleges, signaling a major shift in how higher education is perceived and managed. Secretary Betsy DeVos emphasized the need for innovation and modernization.
These new rules have relaxed compliance standards, extended accreditation periods for non-compliant institutions, and reduced the authority of accreditors. While DeVos argued these measures modernize education, critics like Michael Itzkowitz from Third Way argue that these changes may enable harmful institutions to persist. This could leave students in the dark about the stability and future of their chosen institutions.
Rolling Back Obama-Era Regulations
One of the most contentious actions by the Trump administration was the repeal of key Obama-era regulations aimed at protecting students from predatory colleges. These included the gainful employment and borrower defense rules. The gainful employment rule effectively cut federal funding to underperforming career-education schools, while the borrower defense rule made it harder for borrowers to get relief from misleading practices.
These changes came with mixed reactions. Critics pointed out that the new rules delayed the resolution of borrower defense claims, causing further delays for students seeking relief. Clare McCann, deputy director for federal higher education policy at New America, stressed the urgency of addressing these issues, noting that millions of students have faced long lines and denials in their claims for relief.
A New Era of Transparency and Accountability
Seeking to replace regulations with transparency, the Trump administration launched the College Scorecard, an online tool designed to provide more comprehensive data on student outcomes. This initiative aims to empower families to make informed decisions about their education.
However, critics argue that while the data can be useful, it does not suffice to hold institutions accountable. Itzkowitz and others have noted that without stronger regulatory measures, colleges with poor outcomes may proliferate, undermining efforts to improve the higher education system.
Turning the Corner on Title IX
The Trump administration's changes to Title IX policies targeted sexual misconduct, aiming to provide more rights to the accused. However, this comes with significant controversy. Critics argue that the new rules create a quasi-judicial system that limits the ability of colleges to address sexual misconduct effectively. The pandemic exacerbated these tensions, leaving colleges ill-prepared to implement these new requirements.
Looming Priorities for a Second Term
The recent actions of the Trump administration may foreshadow future priorities. The administration's stance on international students, diversity training, and the ongoing culture wars suggest a potential course for his second term. However, without a clear platform and policy, it remains uncertain how these priorities will materialize.
Overall, President Trump's administration left a lasting imprint on higher education, with both positive and negative outcomes. The future of higher education will likely depend on how these changes are interpreted and implemented.