Debating How to Create Higher Ed Accountability at AEI

""We're in a value-based era of thinking about what it is that higher education needs to deliver," said Beth Akers, a senior fellow at AEI, in her opening remarks. "Given that, we are still hamstrung by the availability of data that value-based accountability requires in order to know what's happening to students after they finish their degree.""

"The growing focus on value-based accountability stems in part from a new federal metric- known as the Do No Harm test-that is slated to take effect July 1. It will compare the earnings of college graduates to high school diploma holders in the same state; degree programs that don't lead to higher earnings on average will lose access to federal loans."

"The regulations needed to implement Do No Harm are still a long way from being finalized; the public comment period doesn't close until May 20. But even if the test is late to launch, it will eventually take effect-barring any lawsuits-as it is statutorily required."

"Multiple speakers at the event-including some Democrats-described the test as progress for higher education policy. As a champion of the Do No Harm test's predecessor, the gainful-employment rule, James Kvaal, who served as the highest official overseeing colleges and universities during the Biden administration, said he was "pleasantly surprised" to see Do No Harm come to pass."

Higher education accountability is shifting from access, completion, and affordability toward value-based accountability. Key questions remain about how to measure value and who should be responsible for doing so. A new federal metric, the Do No Harm test, is scheduled to take effect July 1 and will compare the earnings of college graduates with those of high school diploma holders in the same state. Degree programs that do not lead to higher average earnings will lose access to federal loans. Regulations are not finalized, with public comments due May 20, but the test is required by statute and is expected to take effect unless blocked by lawsuits. Multiple speakers described the test as progress for higher education policy.

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