Education Secretary would guide colleges on justice history questions

The Education Secretary would issue guidance recommending ways colleges can handle applicants’ criminal or juvenile justice histories. The recommendations cover colleges that ask applicants about criminal or juvenile justice history, whether during admissions or in other interactions. The guidance recommends that colleges decide whether admissions questions are needed and, if they keep them, ask after making an admission decision. Colleges would be advised to give applicants a chance to explain their history and preparation for study, train staff with access to the information, and protect privacy. When a college denies or withdraws admission solely because of an applicant’s history, the recommendations call for notice and a reason within 30 days.

The Education Secretary would provide colleges with training and technical help and create a resource center. The training and resource center would support colleges working with applicants and students who have criminal or juvenile justice histories. The Secretary would use funds available to the Department for training and technical help. Training would cover admissions and financial aid, campus jobs, student services, privacy, and career guidance; it would also address avoiding proxy questions that stand in for record questions.