Lee Introduces Bill to Expand Higher Education Opportunities

Press Release

Today, Senator Mike Lee introduced legislation that would expand higher education opportunities for low-income and middle-class families by providing for new alternatives to the federal accreditation system. The Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act would allow all 50 states and the District of Columbia to develop their own systems of accrediting educational institutions, curricula, apprenticeships, programs, and even individual courses. All accredited programs would be eligible to receive federal student loan money.

"The Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act would not only make the cost of higher education more affordable, but also make it easier for students to customize their own education and gain the specific skills they need to compete in today's economy," said Sen. Lee. "Today's higher education system is falling behind on students' increasingly diverse higher education needs and the resistance to change stifles the emergence of new education models than can be much more effective and affordable. The HERO Act will open the floodgates of innovation, providing greater choice, access, and opportunity for America's students."

The HERO Act does not replace the current accreditation system. It simply permits states, if they choose, to set up their own systems to accredit alternative institutions, programs, or courses. Because these new systems would be eligible for federal dollars, each proposal would still have to gain the approval of the Secretary of Education through an agreement with the state.

"Our current higher education system is controlled by the iron triangle of regional accreditation organizations, the schools and federal bureaucrats," Lee added. "The result is the exploding cost of higher education, which either prevents students from getting the educational experience they need or forces them to take on unnecessarily large amounts of debt. We can do better by opening up new avenues of opportunity that make education more affordable and accessible."

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