All posts by Cooley

Excitement about Adult Learning: A Lasting Impression from SXSWedu

Matt Johnson

Cooley associate, Matt Johnson, attended SXSWedu last week. Read his insights on the conference and key takeaway for 2017.

March 28 Deadline Looms for Online Schools to Obtain Authorization in New York

Nancy Anderson, Mike Goldstein and Paul Thompson

Last September, the New York Board of Regents issued new regulations requiring all degree-granting out-of-state institutions seeking to enroll New York residents in their online programs to obtain authorization from the Board.

Important New Gainful Employment Guidance Released

Vince Sampson

Today, the U.S. Department of Education issued guidance giving schools four extra months to comply with requirements of the Gainful Employment (GE) rule.

Federal Judge Denies ACICS Motion for Preliminary Injunction

Jay Vaughan

Late yesterday afternoon, US District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton denied the request of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) seeking a preliminary injunction (PI) directing the US Department of Education (ED or the Department) to restore ACICS’s status as a federally recognized accrediting agency.

Secretary DeVos is on the Job; Roster Spots and Policy Positions Remain Unfilled

Vince Sampson

On February 7, Betsy DeVos was sworn in as the 11th Secretary of the US Department of Education. Her path to 400 Maryland Avenue was historic. The Senate vote was tied at 50-50 forcing Vice President Mike Pence to take the unprecedented step of breaking the tie for a cabinet nominee. With Secretary DeVos in place, the next steps for the Department are articulating policy positions and filling key positions.

DeVos One Step Closer to Department of Education, But Questions Remain

Vince Sampson

Today the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted along party lines to forward the nomination of Betsy DeVos to the full Senate.

White House Issues Regulatory Freeze with Minimal Impact on Education Rules

Vince Sampson and Nancy Anderson

On President Trump’s first day in office, the White House ordered a regulatory freeze to allow the incoming administration to review any new or pending regulations.

Judge Denies ACICS Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order

Jay Vaughan and Naomi Harralson May

In an afternoon hearing on December 20, 2016, U.S. District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton denied the motion of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) to stay the decision of the U.S. Department of Education (ED or the Department) terminating ACICS’s status as a federally recognized accrediting agency.

Final Distance Education Rule: ED Backs Away from State Reciprocity Agreements

Mike Goldstein and Paul Thompson

The Department of Education (ED or the Department) announced the publication of its final rule on state authorization for distance education programs on December 16, 2016.

ACICS Files Suit to Overturn Loss of Recognition

Jay Vaughan and Naomi Harralson May

On December 12, 2016, US Secretary of Education John King issued his final – and expected – decision denying the appeal filed by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) and terminated its status as a federally recognized accrediting agency.

Presidential Transitions: The Congressional Review Act

Vince Sampson

Lately, there have been many questions as to whether Congress might employ the Congressional Review Act (CRA) as a tool to roll back certain Obama Administration rules promulgated over the last few months, such as the Department of Education’s Borrower Defense to Repayment (BDTR) final rule.

Presidential Transitions: A Primer on Rulemakings

Vince Sampson

A smooth transition from the outgoing to incoming administration is a hallmark of democracy and something both parties strive to achieve. Among the myriad issues that must be addressed, one of the more important ones for both the incumbent Obama administration and that of President-Elect Donald J. Trump is how to deal with agency rulemakings.