A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

Chart 7 - ED's principles for regulating

The Department of Education will regulate only when it improves the quality and equality of services to its customers -- learners of all ages. ED will regulate only when absolutely necessary, and then in the most flexible, most equitable, and least burdensome way possible.

Whether to regulate:

When essential to promote quality and equality of opportunity in education.
When a demonstrated problem exists and cannot be resolved without regulation.
When entities or situations to be regulated are so diverse that a uniform approach does more harm than good.
When necessary to provide legally binding interpretation to resolve ambiguity.

How to regulate:

Regulate no more than necessary.
Minimize burden and promote multiple approaches to meeting statutory requirements.
Encourage federally-funded activities to be integrated with state and local reform activities.
Ensure that benefits justify costs of regulation.
Establish performance objectives rather than specify compliance behavior.
Encourage flexibility so institutional forces and incentives achieve desired results.