Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Higher Education Transparency topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bill would ask Maryland colleges to share federal College Scorecard data with prospective students
Summary
Supporters told the committee HB 538, the Informed Enrollment Act, asks institutions to make federal College Scorecard data available to prospective students to improve enrollment choices without new reporting burdens; MHEC backed the measure as practical and student-centered.
Delegate Daligawolek introduced HB 538, the Informed Enrollment Act, which would ask Maryland higher‑education institutions to share the federal College Scorecard data—information about graduation rates, earnings, costs and student outcomes—with prospective students through websites, orientations or outreach.
Megan Muzick of the Maryland Higher Education Commission testified the bill leverages existing federal data to improve students' ability to make financially informed enrollment decisions without imposing new state reporting requirements. MHEC said the bill minimizes administrative burden while promoting transparency and student success.
Delegates asked about concerns raised by Maryland Association of Community Colleges regarding data presented without context; the sponsor said institutions are free to provide contextual information and that the bill is intended to bridge an information gap between federal data and prospective students.
Witnesses urged a favorable report and the committee closed the hearing on HB 538 after panelists finished their testimony.
