Standard News

Hide Advertisement
  • Business
  • Culture
  • News
  • Technology
  • Trending
Site logo
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

U.S. urges colleges to limit hurdles for those with criminal records

By Reuters 2 min read
Advertisement - Continue reading below
The Wider Image: Homer hauled to New York prison

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Department of Education urged colleges and universities on Monday to remove obstacles that can keep the 70 million Americans with criminal records from seeking higher education.

The call coincided with the department’s release of guidelines that encourage schools to look for alternatives to asking about criminal histories during admissions and to take a broader view of individuals’ applications.

Advertisement

The move is one way of giving people with criminal records a second chance, Education Secretary John King Jr said.

“Those who paid their debt and served their sentences deserve a chance to learn and thrive, to make their lives better and get back to their communities,” he said in a conference call.

King made the announcement at the University of California, Los Angeles. The University of California system does not ask about criminal justice history in its admissions.

King’s move comes as President Barack Obama attempts to reform the criminal justice system before he leaves office in January. Despite falling crime rates, more than 2 million Americans are imprisoned, the statement said.

The resource guide calls for delaying any request for information about involvement in the criminal justice system until after an applicant is admitted to the school.

It also urges informing potential students on how to respond to requests about a criminal history and making questions about it more narrowly focused.

The Education Department report includes recommendations on how schools might consider applicants’ criminal histories and campus safety without discouraging applications for admission.

King said that the schools should join the federal government, 23 states, more than 100 cities and counties and many businesses that have reconsidered how they use criminal justice records during hiring.

A 2015 study showed that two-thirds of people with felony convictions who started applications at the State University of New York system never finished the process, partly because of requirements for detailing their convictions.

By contrast, the attrition rate for all applicants was 21 percent.

Terry Hartle, senior vice president for the American Council on Education, which groups about 2,000 two- and four-year colleges and universities, said schools should pay attention to linking social justice issues, like criminal justice reform, to their own standards, such as in the admissions process.

“The department has made a useful contribution to that discussion,” Hartle said.

(Reporting by Ian Simpson; Editing by Dan Grebler; Editing by Alan Crosby)

tagreuters.com2016binary_LYNXNPEC48133-VIEWIMAGE

Advertisement - Continue reading below

‘Deer Hunter’ director Michael Cimino dies aged 77
Entertainment
Reuters 3 min read

‘Deer Hunter’ director Michael Cimino dies aged 77

Mikaela Shifrrin’s Strategies for Organizing Have Become Unmanageable
Lifestyle
Ethan Blake 4 min read

Mikaela Shifrrin’s Strategies for Organizing Have Become Unmanageable

Amber Heard sues comedian Stanhope for defamation over Johnny Depp
Entertainment
Reuters 2 min read

Amber Heard sues comedian Stanhope for defamation over Johnny Depp

Puerto Rico authorizes debt payment suspension; Obama signs rescue bill
News
Reuters 3 min read

Puerto Rico authorizes debt payment suspension; Obama signs rescue bill

Albert Einstein’s Note on Happiness, Given to Hotel Messenger As Tip in 1922, Will Make You Smile
Culture
Robin Milling 2 min read

Albert Einstein’s Note on Happiness, Given to Hotel Messenger As Tip in 1922, Will Make You Smile

Vera Wang, Victoria Beckham debut their spring/summer 2017 looks
Entertainment
Reuters 2 min read

Vera Wang, Victoria Beckham debut their spring/summer 2017 looks

U.S. House Republicans to discuss whether to impeach IRS chief
News
Reuters 2 min read

U.S. House Republicans to discuss whether to impeach IRS chief

U.S. opposes $50 million bail for Turkish-Iranian gold trader
News
Reuters 2 min read

U.S. opposes $50 million bail for Turkish-Iranian gold trader

Cosby effort to reseal case files declared moot: U.S. appeals court
Entertainment
Reuters 2 min read

Cosby effort to reseal case files declared moot: U.S. appeals court

Competency hearing resumes for accused Colorado clinic gunman
News
Reuters 2 min read

Competency hearing resumes for accused Colorado clinic gunman

load more Loading posts...

sidebar

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

sidebar-alt

  • About Us
  • Imprint
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • For Advertisers