U.S. Education Department Mandates New College Admissions Data Set
The U.S. Department of Education is set to mandate colleges to submit a new data set, the Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS), by December 5, 2023. This move aims to enhance transparency and comparability in college admissions data.
The ACTS proposal targets selective four-year institutions, requiring them to report detailed undergraduate and graduate student data, segmented by multiple characteristics, along with five years of historical records. This extensive reporting is designed to provide a more comprehensive view of admissions processes and outcomes. However, the proposal faces significant challenges. Not all institutions maintain five years of comparable data, and some data points may not be consistently available or comparable across the admissions process. This could potentially lead to inaccuracies and inconsistencies in the reported data. Furthermore, breaking down data by multiple characteristics raises concerns about student privacy, feasibility, and data quality. The Department of Education acknowledges these challenges and is seeking public feedback to address them.
Currently, graduate admissions data are collected by program, making institutional-level comparisons misleading. Additionally, the 'selective' admissions requirement is called into question, as many 'selective' institutions admit most students who apply. The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is a reliable source of information for prospective college students, providing data on acceptance rates, graduation rates, affordability, and financial aid. However, the ACTS proposal seeks to supplement and enhance this existing data.
The ACTS proposal, while aiming to improve transparency and comparability in college admissions data, faces substantial implementation challenges. The Department of Education is seeking public feedback to address these issues. The new data set, if successfully implemented, could provide a more nuanced view of college admissions, helping prospective students make informed decisions.
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