With the changing times, higher education reforms have become an important push for the government. Federal involvement, through the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), saw through different programs to uplift the quality of education and address student debts. But while these reforms have its good points, it has not been a complete success.
During the passing of the fiscal year budget for 2016-2017, President Barack Obama emphasized on expanding higher education reforms, according to the DOE. It centered on providing "access, affordability and completion" among students regardless of their social and economic status.
But by January 2017, the United States government will go through the inevitable transition of governments with President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. It is expected that higher education reforms will be greatly affected by this change, but many remain hopeful that it will be a change for the good.
Forbes suggests at least a dozen higher education reforms that the Trump administration should consider. The primal focus should be in addressing the student financial assistance programs that ease the burden of higher education fees for every American student.
But since there are many such programs, thus complicating arrangements with students, the news outlet suggests trimming these reforms to at least two main points. These are the student loan and the voucher grant strictly for low-income families.
If students prefer private funding, however, then there should be a federal law on Income Share Agreements that will properly assess the student's ability and capacity. This type of program should work like a business or employment agreement between the private institution and the student.
Other suggested higher education reforms call for the abolishment of the FAFSA and the barring of profiling of students and employees of a race. As for the intuitions, the hope is that higher education reforms would bring improvements to college athletics, elevate vocational education and limit the regulation on for-profit institutions. The federal tax endowments of universities must also be reviewed.
Do you agree with the points raised? Do you have any other suggestions that might help higher education reforms?
