High Country Times

Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx has expressed opposition to potential regulatory changes by the Biden-Harris administration concerning third-party providers in online education. In a letter addressed to U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Foxx criticized any forthcoming modifications to existing guidance as "unacceptable."

Foxx's letter highlights concerns about regulating the 2011 Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) (GEN 11-05), which outlines how educational institutions can engage with third-party servicers for bundled services like online courseware, marketing, and student retention. She urged Secretary Cardona to avoid altering this guidance without Congressional collaboration, warning that institutions might face uncertainty regarding compliance.

In her correspondence, Foxx reiterated views from her April 2023 op-ed, stating that the TPS guidance reflects an administration misunderstanding of college operations and technology's role in higher education. She emphasized that Congress and the Department should prioritize reducing college costs while enhancing student access rather than advancing policies from fringe advocacy groups.

Foxx also expressed concern over any last-minute actions by the outgoing administration that could disrupt current educational delivery systems. She warned that rescinding or revising the DCL would indicate a lack of understanding of campus dynamics and technology's importance in postsecondary education.

The letter concluded with a cautionary note about potential chaos for educational institutions, students, and the ed tech industry if changes were implemented hastily. Foxx urged reconsideration of any action affecting the DCL's timing.