Murray Statement on Department of Education’s Independent Watchdog Recommendations to Strengthen Accountability in Higher Education

Department of Education’s Inspector General sent a letter to Congress recommending strengthening accountability measures in HEA reauthorization

IG warned loosening accountability without a proven substitute would increase risks to students and borrowers, and could raise costs and increase defaults

Murray: “I look forward to working to strengthen accountability for colleges and programs as we work to update our nation’s higher education law”

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released the following comment today on the Department of Education’s Inspector General’s recommendations to strengthen accountability measures for colleges and programs in the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.

“In order to ensure our comprehensive reauthorization of the Higher Education Act is student-focused, we must strengthen provisions to hold schools accountable for students’ access and success, including their ability to graduate, get a good job, and repay their loans. It’s no surprise that the Department’s independent watchdog found any approach going in the opposite direction will hurt students and raise the costs of college, so I look forward to working to strengthen accountability for colleges and programs as we work to update our nation’s higher education law.”

Read the Department of Education’s Inspector General’s recommendations HERE.

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