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Policy and Advocacy Research and Data Legislation Legal Education Letter to Legislator
Policy and Advocacy Research and Data Legislation Legal Education Letter to Legislator

AccessLex Institute Supports the College Transparency Act Which Would Expand Access to Student-Level Data 

The Honorable Tim Walberg
Chairman
House Education and Workforce Committee
2176 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Robert Scott
Ranking Member
House Education and Workforce Committee
2328 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Chairman Walberg and Ranking Member Scott:

AccessLex Institute® is pleased to offer its support for H.R. 4806, the College Transparency Act, which would overturn the existing student-level data ban and expand access to critical higher education data for all relevant stakeholders, including prospective students, institutions, and the public.

AccessLex Institute, in partnership with its nearly 200 nonprofit and state-affiliated ABA-approved member law schools, has been committed to improving access to legal education and to maximizing the affordability and value of a law degree since 1983. The AccessLex Center for Legal Education Excellence® advocates for policies that make legal education work better for students and society alike and conducts research on the most critical issues facing legal education today.

As you know, Congress banned the creation of a student-level data system in 2008. Currently, universities only report institution-level data, which fails to adequately capture and evaluate outcomes for students in any targeted way. This results in fragmented data for large subsets of students, including graduate and professional students. Introduced on July 29, 2025 by Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-8), Mike Kelly (R-PA-16), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1), and Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11), the College Transparency Act would provide disaggregated data that would help students and families make better informed decisions about higher education.

AccessLex Institute recognizes the concerns related to privacy and security that accompany any data sharing initiative but notes that the bill incorporates several measures to protect students against privacy violations. The bill includes a ban on the sale of student data, prohibits access by law enforcement, and limits personally identifiable information. It also bars a federal college ranking or ratings system.

AccessLex supports the creation of a student-level data system because it provides relevant stakeholders with information to make crucial decisions.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or Nancy Conneely, Vice President of Policy, at [email protected].

Sincerely,
Christopher P. Chapman
President and Chief Executive Officer

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