Category: Policy

Policy

Published by: WCET | 8/27/2026

By Cheryl Dowd In our June Frontiers post, we examined the consensus draft language developed through the U.S. Department of Education’s Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization negotiated rulemaking committee and what accreditation reform could mean for digital learning. The Department has now released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) with proposed regulations that largely reflect that […]

EventPolicyPractice

Published by: WCET | 8/21/2026

By Betsy Piland Schedules are busy. Budgets are tight. Getting approval to attend a conference can take some serious hoop-jumping! But we’re here to make it worthwhile. If you work in higher ed digital learning, here are five reasons to register now for WCET 2026 in Minneapolis, Oct. 14-16. 1. Connect With Your Community IRL […]

Policy

Published by: WCET | 7/16/2026

By Cheryl M. Dowd When the federal accountability regulations were released, many higher education professionals might have assumed that the changes primarily affected the financial aid office. However, the U.S. Department of Education’s (Department) new Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) and Earnings Accountability regulations require significant institutional collaboration not only from financial aid and […]

Policy

Published by: WCET | 7/9/2026

By Cheryl M. Dowd The timing of federal financial aid regulations is unusually complex this year. Instead of the traditional July 1 implementation cycle, institutions are navigating a mix of regulations that have been delayed, accelerated, or temporarily blocked by court action. As a result, understanding not only what has changed, but also when those […]

Policy

Published by: WCET | 6/10/2026

Accreditation is not typically front-page news in digital learning circles, but the latest federal rulemaking effort could reshape how our community operates for years to come.

Policy

Published by: WCET | 5/29/2026

Final regulations implementing changes to Pell Grants and establishing Workforce Pell Grants will take effect July 20, 2026, with an option for early implementation on July 1, 2026. These regulations, Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-driven Workforce Pell: Pell Grant Exclusion Relating to Other Grant Aid; and Workforce Pell Grants, implement provisions of […]

Policy

Published by: WCET | 4/30/2026

For 15 years, the State Authorization Network has supported higher education institutions navigating the complexities of interstate compliance for distance education. SAN currently serves more than 975 institutions and organizations nationwide. What began as a response to emerging federal regulations in late 2010 has grown into a national community of practice, connecting professionals, shaping institutional approaches, and advancing shared understanding across an evolving regulatory landscape. This anniversary offers an opportunity to […]

Policy

Published by: WCET | 4/21/2026

It was a big week for federal higher education policy. Last week began with the launch of negotiated rulemaking for the Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) Committee, signaling a bold plan for reform on accreditation. It closed with two significant regulatory actions: the release of the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DoJ) interim final rule on digital accessibility and the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) proposed rules addressing accountability.   […]

Policy

Published by: WCET | 4/16/2026

Authored in collaboration with Cheryl Dowd, Senior Director, SAN & WCET Policy Innovations, Erika Swain, Assistant Director of Academic Compliance and Authorization, University of Colorado Boulder; and Mitchell Tiedman and Ella Reichard, University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado Law Clinic. The compliance challenges and negative outcomes that can arise around interstate distance education are well-documented: barriers […]

Policy

Published by: WCET | 3/19/2026

If a nursing program’s curriculum satisfies a state’s educational requirements for an individual to qualify for licensure in that profession, it may seem reasonable to assume the institution can enroll students located in that state or place them in required clinical experiences there. After all, if the program prepares students to become licensed in that […]