Free textbooks? Federal government is on track with a pilot program - Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, Washington Post

Open-source textbooks have emerged as a cost-effective solution for cash-strapped college students. They can download the material free or print copies for a nominal price. (Scott Anderson/NewsTribune via AP) The federal government’s first major investment in the free use of textbooks remains on track, Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) said Monday in a letter examining a pilot program by the Education Department. Congress designated $5 million in the fiscal 2018 budget to support the creation or expansion of open-educational resources: peer-reviewed academic material released under an intellectual property license that permits free use. The money is an outgrowth of legislation Durbin introduced in the fall. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2018/05/08/education-dept-sets-course-for-open-textbook-pilot-program/