Obama’s plan to rate college generates major debate among academic leaders

By Nick Anderson. President Obama’s pledge to begin federal ratings of colleges by 2015 has touched off widespread debate in academia, exposing a divide that can be seen in the reactions of higher education leaders, such as those at two Maryland schools that are almost polar opposites. University of Maryland President Wallace D. Loh endorses the plan Obama announced Aug. 22 to rate colleges on the value they deliver for students and link federal student aid to those findings. “At stake is whether higher education remains the great equalizer of conditions in our democracy,” said the leader of the 37,200-student public flagship in College Park. Read more...