Department of Education September 15, 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education announces priorities, requirements, and definitions for the Open Textbooks Pilot (OTP) program conducted under the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), CFDA number 84.116T. The Assistant Secretary may use one or more of these priorities, requirements, and definitions for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2020 and later years. We take this action to focus Federal financial assistance on the creation of new open textbooks (as defined in this notice) and to expand the use of open textbooks in courses that are part of a degree- granting program, particularly those with high enrollments. We intend this action to further develop and identify programs and practices that improve instruction and student learning outcomes, as well as increase access, affordability, and completion rates, for students seeking postsecondary education degrees through the development, enhancement, and use of open textbooks.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is proposing a reinstatement with change.