Department looks at rising college costs

In an attempt to provide the public an opportunity to voice their concerns about rising college costs, the U.S. Department of Education announced in a Federal Register notice yesterday that it will host four public forums across the country.

The forums are designed to allow the department to address President Barack Obama’s administration’s proposals about college education as well as to gather public opinion about ways to make college more affordable.

The forums will take place in universities in California, Virginia, Iowa and Louisiana, according to the notice. They also coincide with the department’s upcoming Request for Information that enables experts to contribute their input for the creation of a college ratings system.

Since the president announced a plan for new and affordable college costs in August, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and department officials have participated in nationwide events to hear people’s concerns and suggestions.

Duncan said in the notice he believes shared input can help students battle the challenges of the United States’ college education system.

“We plan to engage as many stakeholder groups and individuals as possible to help us develop proposals that are useful to students and take into account the diversity of America’s colleges and universities,” he said.