The regulators say government needs to weed out training programs that saddle students with debt but provide few opportunities for success. But thats far too modest. If implemented, the 845-page rule will limit choice in higher education, punish entrepreneurs, and wallop the very students the Obamas say they want to help. This new rule is merely the latest front in what has become a White House war to kill for-profit private education. Apparently private schools that, unlike Harvard or Columbia, pay taxes and offer a non-elite education to regular folks offend their liberal sensibilities. Three years ago, a previous draft of the rule was struck down by a federal judge, who called one of the tests arbitrary. The new income and loan thresholds look arbitrary too. Not all Democrats agree with this hostility to for-profit schools. The new rule will disproportionately harm non-traditional and lower-income students who have no choice but to rely on student loans in order to pursue a postsecondary education, and need the flexibility career colleges provide, says Rep. Alcee Hastings, a senior member of the Congressional Black Caucus. If the rule goes through, for-profits will respond by limiting the enrollment of the riskiest students. Many have done so already. The White House cited the gainful employment rule as an example of the President implementing his domestic agenda by executive order. Over to you, Congress. The Higher Education Act of 1965 is up for reauthorization this year, which is a perfect opportunity to drop this gainful nonsense and ensure that all rules apply equally to all schools. Wed prefer that Congress reduce subsidies generally for higher education, but theres no excuse for singling out schools simply because they arent run by government. online.wsj/news/articles/SB10001424052702303942404579361422573754730?mg=reno64-wsj
Posted on: Mon, 24 Mar 2014 14:34:32 +0000
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