A coalition of 17 state attorneys general has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education challenging its requirement for colleges to collect and report applicant and student data broken down by race and sex. The lawsuit argues that this mandate imposes undue burdens and violates federal law. The Education Department defends the data collection as necessary for civil rights enforcement and program evaluation.
Key Points
- Lawsuit claims the data collection requirement exceeds the department’s authority and creates administrative burdens.
- States involved include Republican-led ones like Alabama, Arkansas, and Florida, targeting changes to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
- The Education Department states the data will help assess equity in higher education access and outcomes.
Implications for Educational Freedom
This lawsuit highlights concerns over federal government overreach in higher education, potentially empowering states and institutions to resist mandates that could infringe on educational freedom. It aligns with EFI’s advocacy for reducing bureaucratic requirements, thereby supporting greater institutional autonomy and parental choice in postsecondary options.
Source: 3 insights into the 17-state lawsuit over admissions data requirements
