As I travel around Wisconsin, I hear from far too many college students who are taking on massive amounts of student loan debt to earn a bachelor's degree. Sometimes, the burden of debt can prevent or delay these young borrowers from purchasing a home or even starting a family.
The average amount of outstanding student loan debt per borrower is over $37,000 in the United States. In Wisconsin, graduates on average leave school with an estimated $30,000 of debt.
What might a practical solution to the issue of student loan debt look like?
Competency-based education (CBE) programs present a timesaving method of learning to college classrooms. CBE programs concentrate on testing students based on their grasp of course work, which can allow them to complete classes more quickly. Thus, the burden of student loan debt may be substantially alleviated.
My bill, The Competency-Based Education Act, provides a legal pathway for universities to set up and expand CBE programs. Instead of college students fulfilling degree requirements through the number of hours spent in a classroom, my bill will allow universities to implement educational programs that advance students by testing their competency in a subject.
Expanding these programs across college campuses is an imperative first step to alleviate the massive amount of student loan debt in the United States while encouraging students to learn at their own pace.
