The Department of Education’s proposal to require universities to take attendance in online courses has sparked significant pushback from professors, colleges, and higher education organizations. The proposed regulations, part of a larger package of federal policies aimed at protecting students and holding institutions accountable for financial aid funds, have raised concerns about their impact on both students and institutions.
One of the key components of the proposed regulations is the requirement for students to demonstrate attendance in online courses every 14 days by submitting assignments or engaging with professors and fellow students. The Department of Education argues that this policy will help track student dropout rates more accurately and prevent institutions from receiving federal financial aid funds for students who have dropped out. However, critics argue that this policy places an unnecessary burden on students and legitimate institutions.
Large university systems, including those in California, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, have expressed concerns about the attendance policy. While they acknowledge the need to prevent misuse of financial aid funds, they believe that the blanket approach proposed by the Department of Education could divert resources away from student success and innovation. The University of California system, for example, has called for clearer guidance on how institutions would be expected to comply with the rule and warned of potential unintended consequences, such as reduced access to online and hybrid courses for lower-income students.
Community colleges in numerous states have also raised objections to the proposed regulations, highlighting the significant number of their students who rely on online or hybrid courses. They argue that the regulations unfairly target distance education programs and impose a compliance burden that outweighs any potential benefits. Several higher education organizations have echoed these concerns, calling for a more balanced approach that supports flexibility and innovation in online education.
While some lawmakers, such as U.S. Representative Bobby Scott, have praised the proposed regulations for their potential to improve data collection and comparison of online and in-person programming, others have raised separate objections. Republican members of Congress, including Virginia Foxx, have criticized the proposed expansion of the TRIO program to include students seeking to enroll in high schools in the U.S. or U.S. territories, expressing concerns about extending benefits to undocumented immigrants.
Overall, the pushback against the Department of Education’s proposed attendance policy for online courses reflects a broader debate about the future of distance education and the balance between accountability and innovation in higher education. As stakeholders continue to provide feedback on the proposed regulations, it remains to be seen how the Department of Education will address these concerns and ensure that any new policies support student success and access to quality education.
