Comment on FR Doc # 2026-13248

Although I can understand the Department of Education’s goal of increasing flexibility and reducing administrative burden, I urgently want the department to reconsider how eliminating these educational regulations and programs would affect the accountability of these highly important programs. International education programs benefit and help prepare students to work with different cultures, understand cultural competence, and overall help others. These skills highly contribute to the education, healthcare, security, etc. we see in the current day. Without the information, knowledge, and educational exchanges gained through collaboration with people around the world, this puts us in danger and ultimately weakens our ability to address global challenges. This is seen in the healthcare industry. For instance, cultural competence helps healthcare professionals connect with their patients, which improves patient outcomes and leads to overall good health. While I can see how the Department of Education wants to reduce administrative burden, it is unnecessary. Instead, the department should focus on updating and strengthening existing regulations. A balanced approach would reduce the burden without sacrificing the effective and important educational and societal benefits these international education programs provide.