Former secretaries of education Margaret Spellings and John King joined FutureU podcast hosts Jeff Selingo and Michael B, Hornto to discuss their views about the new administration in Washington, D.C., and what they hope is on the horizon for higher education policy. High on their list?
“I am hopeful that we will see a doubling of Pell Grants. If we see a doubling of Pell Grants, that will greatly increase the affordability and access to college for low-income students,” said King, who served in President Barack Obama’s administration.
Spelling stressed Covid recovery. “In the short-run we need our institutions to be shored up from the additional costs they’ve incurred from the gaps in attendance and enrollment because of these Covid-related crisis issues,” said Spellings, who led the U.S. Education Department for President George W. Bush.