By Paul Fain. The U.S. Department of Education on Wednesday confirmed that it has granted initial approval to acquisitions of Kaplan University and Education Management Corp., two large for-profits. The proposed transactions by Purdue University to acquire Kaplan and create a new online university, and by the Dream Center, a nonprofit missionary group, to buy EDMC and its for-profit campus chains, both have drawn controversy. Earlier this week Buzzfeed reported that the feds had signed off on the deals, citing emails the publication obtained. More...

By Paul Fain. Indiana University’s new “grand challenge” takes a practical approach by seeking to connect university research on environmental change to the lives and work of people across the conservative state. More...

By Paul Fain. More than a quarter of Americans hold a nondegree credential, with 21 percent completing a work experience program, according to new federal data. And many of these credential holders have well-paying jobs. More...

By Paul Fain. The U.S. gets high marks on World Economic Forum index on human capital development, which could ease worries about higher education's contribution to a skills gap. But some experts are skeptical. More...

By Paul Fain. Ambitious college-completion goals set by the Obama administration and the Lumina Foundation are unlikely to be met, according to a new analysis from Educational Testing Service, the standardized-assessment organization. More...

By Paul Fain. A U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations on Thursday approved a funding bill that includes an 18-month extension for colleges that are overseen by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools to find a new accreditor. More...

By Paul Fain. The U.S. Department of Education has hired a community college administrator and former DeVry University official to run its enforcement unit, Politico reported Tuesday night. Julian Schmoke is executive director of campus relations for West Georgia Technical College, a two-year public institution. More...

By Paul Fain. McDonald’s brings a flexible approach and free career and college advising to its tuition assistance program, which is aimed in part at keeping employees on the job longer. More...

By Paul Fain. National University is working to create a personalized education platform that combines three of the buzziest innovations in higher education -- adaptive learning, competency-based learning and predictive analytics for student retention. More...

By Paul Fain. The Charlotte School of Law missed two deadlines set by state regulators and has asked for an extension to stay open. More...