Commentary

Washington Watch: CCAMPIS grant competition announced

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), “on behalf of the Department of Education (ED),” on Monday released a Notice Inviting Grant Applications for the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS)…


The new academic imperative: Why workforce is the work

The core responsibility of community colleges is to remain responsive to the evolving needs of the communities they serve, as outlined in the institutional mission. This charge is not abstract. This responsibility calls on educators…




ED’s plan to weed out fake student aid applications

The U.S. Education Department (ED) this week detailed its timeline and implementation of real-time identity screening procedures for applicants completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The changes aim to address the rise…


The college transfer generation

For decades, students transferring between colleges was a side road in American higher education. Today, it’s one of the system’s main highways. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reports that nearly 1.2 million students, or…


Observations about the House’s WIOA bill

Timing is everything. Never has the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026 been more relevant to community colleges. We are at the epicenter, straddling access and career success, which is both the promise…


Roll call on community college research

The Council for the Study of Community Colleges — an affiliated council of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) — just hosted its 67th annual conference. Top of mind for researchers and leaders in…



Washington Watch: ED releases accreditation ‘neg reg’ materials

In advance of the start of next week’s long-anticipated negotiated-rulemaking sessions (commonly referred to as “neg reg”) on accreditation, the Education Department (ED) has announced the negotiators and released draft regulations. The draft will be subject…