How Obama reversed course on federal college ratings
By JOSH LEDERMAN, Associated Press
Jul 2, 2015 3:33 PM CDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama wanted dearly to get the government in the business of rating universities based on value and affordability. Nearly two years ago, he said a new system would be in place by 2015.

Now that goal is shriveling under the weight of a concerted opposition from universities, lawmakers and bureaucrats in Obama's administration. The Education Department has quietly but drastically scaled back the plan..

No longer does the federal government intend to use a formula to score schools based on factors like price, average student debt and graduation rates. Instead, the tool will allow students to decide which factors are important to them, then draw their own conclusions.

But officials couldn't point to any data the tool will offer that's not already available through government websites.