Davis lauds House passage of education bills, outlines work ahead

Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) said on Thursday that a number of bills that were recently approved by the House of Representatives would improve higher education but more needs to be done.

Last week, the House approved the Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act, the Empowering Students Through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act and the Advancing Competency-Based Education Demonstration Projects Act. The measures are designed to increase transparency, improve financial counseling for both students and parents, and ensure that colleges and universities have the flexibility to innovate, according to a press release.

“By making sure students, who for many this is their first major financial decision, know what financing options are available to them, exactly how much they owe and what their average monthly payments will be before they sign on that dotted line, we will help students make more informed decisions and hopefully lower the amount of student debt,” Davis said.

The Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act would establish an online dashboard to allow students to compare schools. The Empowering Students Through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act, meanwhile, would provide students with access to financial counseling.

“Additionally, outdated federal policies continue to contribute to the rising cost of education in this country,” Davis said. “Addressing this issue is one of the easiest things we can do as lawmakers to help our colleges and universities keep their costs down. The Advancing Competency-Based Education Demonstration Projects Act of 2013 updates the law allowing schools to innovate, partner with employers, improve career readiness and shorten the time it takes students to earn a degree.”

Davis said the bills were “a great first step” toward reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.

“We must continue to explore ways to make college more affordable, help students manage their debt and engage employers so students have the best shot at a job upon graduation,” Davis said.