The Improving State Consumer Protections Through State Authorization Capacity Building and Research project equips state authorization offices with evidence, tools, and peer support to bolster consumer protections and authorization processes. Supported by Arnold Ventures and the Lumina Foundation, it convened a financial-viability working group, assembled a 50-state inventory of reauthorization-policy stringency, conducted a qualitative study of agency capacity, and analyzed how authorization metrics link to student outcomes. Through research briefs, webinars, peer-learning convenings, dashboards, and practical toolkits, the project delivers actionable recommendations and targeted technical assistance to help states protect students, improve quality assurance, and advance equitable postsecondary opportunities.
Publications & Resources
- State Postsecondary Authorization: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Reauthorization Processes and Agency Capacity
- State Reauthorization: Toolkit
- State Reauthorization Research: Technical Appendix
- State Reauthorization: Data Download
- State Reauthorization: Power BI Dashboard
- State Reauthorization Dashboard: State Summary Documents Download
- WHITE PAPER: State Reauthorization Policy as a Consumer Protection Strategy
- WHITE PAPER: Better Data for Better Oversight: Modernizing Data Systems for Student Outcomes
Contact:
Dustin Weeden, Associate Vice President