Postsecondary Student Success Act of 2024
If enacted, HB 7761 would significantly impact higher education policies by establishing programs that must demonstrate their effectiveness through rigorous evaluations. The bill mandates that a portion of the grant funding be set aside for student support services, which include tutoring, counseling, and career coaching. This effort is aimed at not only increasing enrollment and retention rates but also ensuring that students successfully complete their educational goals. By providing targeted resources and tailored support, the bill seeks to create a more equitable environment in postsecondary education.
House Bill 7761, known as the Postsecondary Student Success Act of 2024, aims to authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants specifically designed to create evidence-based programs that enhance the participation, retention, and graduation rates of high-need students in higher education institutions. This legislative proposal emphasizes support for students from low-income backgrounds, first-generation college students, and others who face educational barriers, thus directly addressing disparities in educational success rates among these demographics.
Critics of such grant programs often express concerns over the allocation of federal funds, questioning the metrics used to evaluate 'success' and the potential for inefficiency in grant distribution. The bill includes provisions for annual benchmarks and outcomes, which may be scrutinized for accountability. Additionally, there could be debates regarding which institutions qualify for these grants and whether disparities in funding could emerge between different types of colleges, particularly between public institutions and non-profit educational organizations.