Stivers bill aims to better inform students about post-college outcomes, prospects

U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH) last week introduced bipartisan legislation that would establish a postsecondary student data system.

The College Transparency Act, H.R. 2030, which Rep. Stivers cosponsored on March 18 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), would provide accurate reports on student outcomes, such as enrollment, completion and post-college success across colleges and majors, to help students and families make data-informed decisions about which colleges and universities to attend.

“Education is one of the most expensive investments a person makes, but just as you would not purchase a home without an inspection, or buy a car without comparing different models, students and parents should have all the information possible when making a decision about their lives beyond high school,” Rep. Stivers said, adding that H.R. 2030 would “empower Americans to make sound financial decisions as they consider post-secondary education.”

If enacted, H.R. 2030 would update the current college reporting system to securely report privacy-protected, student-level data to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Stivers’ office.

Under the bill, the NCES would coordinate with the U.S. Treasury Department to use aggregate earnings information and new student data to provide summarized information on a user-friendly website for public use, the summary states.

The modernized system also would help universities determine which programs are providing pathways to success and better identify students who are being underserved, according to Rep. Stivers’ office.