Support Letter for Maryland Senate Hearing on Data Collection for Parenting Students

In March 2025, the New America Higher Education Policy Team expressed its support for Maryland’s House Bill 0298 during a senate hearing scheduled for April 2, 2025. This legislation mandates that the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) gather comprehensive data concerning the parental status of students enrolled in public institutions across the state.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to better understand the demographics of the student body in Maryland’s higher education system. By systematically collecting data on whether students are parents or guardians, policymakers aim to identify the specific needs and challenges faced by student parents. These insights can inform educational policies, enhance support services, and ideally improve access to higher education for this often underrepresented group.

Student parents frequently face unique hurdles in their pursuit of education, including time constraints, financial pressures, and a lack of flexible scheduling options. The data gathering proposed in House Bill 0298 is expected to provide a clearer picture of the barriers these students encounter as they navigate their academic and family responsibilities. With approximately one in five college students in the U.S. parenting children, such information could be instrumental in shaping targeted interventions, such as childcare services on campus, flexible course offerings, and personalized advising services.

Supporters of the bill contend that understanding the specific demographics of student parents will allow for more equitable educational policies tailored to this group’s needs. Furthermore, this approach aligns with national trends emphasizing data-driven policy design in education, which seeks to increase retention rates and degree completion among minority and non-traditional student populations.

As institutions of higher education continue to diversify their student bodies, legislation such as House Bill 0298 is critical in ensuring that the unique experiences of all students are acknowledged and addressed. This aligns with New America’s mission to foster innovative education solutions that serve a wider array of learners while addressing equity gaps in educational attainment.

In conclusion, Maryland’s House Bill 0298 represents a proactive step towards a more inclusive approach to higher education. By leveraging data to better understand the dynamics of student parents, Maryland can pave the way for policies that not only enhance educational access but also contribute to the overall well-being of its diverse student population.