Unions Sue Education Department Over 'Professional' Degree Rule
A coalition of unions, including the American Federation of Teachers, has sued the U.S. Department of Education over its regulatory definition of a 'professional degree', which excludes education graduate programs.
Education unions are taking the U.S. Department of Education to court over its definition of a 'professional degree'. The Education Department's regulatory definition excludes education graduate programs, which has sparked concerns among K-12 advocates. ## Exclusion of Education Programs The Education Department's definition of a 'professional degree' excludes education graduate programs, which means students pursuing these programs are capped at $100,000 in federal student loans. In contrast, students in advanced degree programs considered 'professional' by the Education Department can take out up to $200,000 in federal student loans. ## Impact on Teacher Shortages The unions' lawsuit alleges that the Education Department's definition will make it more difficult and less attractive for students to enter the nursing and teaching profession. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) claims that this regulation will exacerbate teacher shortages, leading to fewer potential AFT members in the future. ## Lawsuit and Defense The union coalition, which includes the AFT, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, National Nurses United, and AFL-CIO, has asked the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to vacate and postpone the effective date of the Education Department's Reimagining and Improving Student Education rule. The Education Department remains steadfast in its defense of the new regulation, stating that it is confident in its interpretation of the law and will prioritize students and families over institutions, unions, or special interests. ## Concerns and Criticisms The exclusion of education from the definition of a 'professional degree' has stirred up concerns among K-12 advocates that the change will make it more difficult for schools to recruit and retain administrators, teachers, and counselors. AFT President Randi Weingarten has criticized the Education Department's definition, stating that it will eviscerate education access for poor and working-class students and their families and dismantle pathways to the middle class. ## Response from the Education Department In a statement, Ellen Keast, the Education Department's press secretary for higher education, said that the agency will continue to prioritize students and families and make higher education more affordable. She also stated that the Education Department has consistently used a narrow, technical definition of what constitutes a professional degree and that institutions, unions, and trade associations are trying to rewrite history by challenging this definition.
