Washington, D.C. –  On July 23, 2014 the U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment written by Rep. Jerry McNerney (CA-09) that would ensure that colleges take into account the unique skills and needs of veterans and military personnel when they’re earning  credits towards a degree or certificate.

Rep. McNerney proposed his amendment to HR 3136, which creates up to 20 competency-based education projects managed by the Department of Education. These projects would allow institutions of higher education (IHE) to come up with creative alternatives to the traditional “credit hour” in order to meet changing learning environments.

Rep. McNerney’s amendment would require schools that are part of the demonstration program to provide information on the number of veteran and military students who attend the school and how it will incorporate those particular student needs into its demonstration project.  

“Service members and veterans often need flexibility to pursue their education goals,” said Rep. McNerney.  “We owe it to these men and women to help them pursue higher education as seamlessly as possible.  My amendment will help keep track of the progress that the veteran and military student populations are making in any new competency-based program and to hold these programs accountable for the progress of veterans.”

H.R. 3136 incorporates new, innovative practices in higher education by allowing students to advance academically by demonstrating competence in a subject, rather than by spending a set amount of time in the classroom.

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