Federal Register #2026-20975

Education Department proposes study of higher-education program closures

This Federal Register notice describes a proposed education study and separate energy-related notices; it is not a procurement opportunity. - Government agencies: U.S. Department of Education, through the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE) and the Institute of Education Sciences (IES); the excerpt also includes notices from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). - Proposed study: “IHE Considerations Around Program Closure: How External Pressures and Internal Policies Shape Decision Making” will examine factors associated with program closures and suspensions at U.S. institutions of higher education, including the influence of institutional policies and procedures. - Planned research combines existing data, a national survey of institutions that appear to have closed or suspended programs, and structured interviews with institutional leaders. - The Department estimates 2,160 annual responses and 384 annual burden hours. - Other notices: FERC notices concern natural gas rate filings and environmental scoping for the City of Aspen’s Maroon Creek Hydroelectric Project; these are not purchase requests. - Procurement status: No products, procurement services, quantities, OEMs, or vendors are requested or identified.

Description

The Department of Education is proposing a new information collection request under the Paperwork Reduction Act and is inviting public comments by December 14, 2026. The study will examine factors linked to program closure and suspension at U.S. institutions of higher education, including the role of institutional policies and procedures. Planned data collection includes combining existing data with a national survey of institutions that appear to have closed or suspended programs since 2022 and structured interviews with institutional leaders. The Department estimates 2,160 annual responses and 384 annual burden hours.

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