Blueprint for Reform: Academic Transparency is a roadmap designed for state legislators and university trustees, emphasizing the necessity of academic transparency in higher education to enhance student decision-making and public accountability. It advocates for public access to course syllabi, faculty credentials, and comprehensive student outcome data, thereby fostering informed choices and reinforcing institutional integrity.
Key Recommendations:
- Public Access to Syllabi: Mandate that all undergraduate course syllabi be accessible online prior to class registration, detailing required readings and materials.
- Faculty Credentials Disclosure: Ensure that faculty curricula vitae (CVs) are publicly available to provide insight into instructors’ qualifications.
- Student Outcomes Reporting: Require institutions to publish annual reports on student outcomes, including career trajectories, median incomes, and student debt levels.
- Legislative Measures: Enact laws obligating public colleges and universities to implement these transparency practices, reinforcing accountability and trust in higher education.
These recommendations aim to improve student decision-making and public accountability.
