College Transparency Act

Summary#

This bill creates a secure, privacy-protected student-level postsecondary data system run by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The system must be developed within 4 years of enactment. It will collect specified student and program data to report enrollment, progression, completion, costs, financial aid, and post-college outcomes. The Commissioner must form an advisory committee within 2 years to help define data elements and processes.

The law requires periodic, secure data matches with several Federal agencies (for example, the Treasury/IRS, Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, Census Bureau, Social Security Administration, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Office of Federal Student Aid) to help measure earnings and other outcomes. NCES must publish summary aggregate information on a consumer website and analytic tool, allow vetted research access to de-identified student-level data, and provide annual feedback reports to institutions and states. Institutions that participate in Title IV programs must submit the requested data; other schools may participate voluntarily. The bill repeals a prior prohibition on creating a student data system and includes transition language to reduce duplicate reporting from IPEDS.

The bill lists specific data protections and limits. It bans inclusion of certain individual data (for example, exact addresses, health records, discipline records, citizenship or migrant status, course grades, postsecondary entrance exam results, political affiliation, or religion). It requires security controls, audits, data minimization, breach protocols, student notice, and a process for students to inspect and request corrections to their personal information. The bill also prohibits sale of the collected data, use for law enforcement or actions that harm students or families (including immigration enforcement or debt collection), and use by Federal agencies to create a Federal ranking or summative rating of institutions.

What it means for you#

• Students and families: A public consumer website will provide summary, aggregate information about institutions and programs (access, progression, completion, costs, and post-college outcomes). Personal information will not be published, and students will be told what data about them are included and can request corrections.
• Institutions: Colleges and universities participating in Title IV programs must collect and submit the required data to NCES once the system is implemented. Other institutions may join voluntarily. The bill directs NCES to reduce duplicate reporting and streamline data collection where possible.
• Researchers and states: NCES will allow vetted researchers to use de-identified student-level data under protections and will provide summary outcomes to states for listed graduates while protecting privacy.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

The bill states its purposes as enabling accurate evaluation of enrollment, progression, completion, postcollegiate outcomes, and higher education costs and financial aid; improving transparency and institutional improvement; providing accurate, customizable information for students and families; and reducing reporting burden on institutions.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.