For Policymakers
In its multi-pronged campaign for higher education reform, ACTA reaches out to policymakers who share ACTA’s goals of academic excellence, academic freedom, and accountability. ACTA works around the country to promote high academic standards, a strong liberal arts based core curriculum, an end to grade inflation, improved teacher training, and increased accountability.
Accreditation Reform
For more than 60 years, accreditation has been the Congressional safeguard for billions of taxpayer dollars expended in student loan money. The theory behind accreditation is simple: Using a practice of peer review common in the academy, teams of faculty and administrators assess colleges and universities to assure Congress—under the Higher Education Act—that vast amounts of student financial aid are directed to "quality" institutions. Once a school is accredited, it is entitled to receive federal student aid money. And that's no small change—$100 billion at last count.
However, while Americans fork over billions of their hard-earned funds, quality is down. Costs are up. Accountability is virtually nonexistent. Four-year schools that are not accredited are few and far between. And the few schools that have been sanctioned or lost accreditation have suffered largely because of financial issues. Meanwhile, accreditors are imposing "standards" that, in case after case, raise costs and undermine institutional autonomy and diversity—historic strengths of American higher education.
The American Council of Trustees and Alumni believes accreditation must be reformed and it has prepared seminal publications for policymakers—at the state and local level—and the public about what needs to be done. These publications include Why Accreditation Doesn't Work and What Policymakers Can Do About It and Can College Accreditation Live Up to Its Promise? For further information, contact info@goacta.org.
Governors
In public higher education, where 80% of students are now enrolled, the best way to reach trustees is through the governors.
ACTA works around the country to engage reform-minded governors to challenge the current direction of higher education. ACTA helps governors develop an agenda for higher education reform, identify strong board appointees, organize Governors' Conferences for College and University Trustees and provide follow-up work with trustees to implement reform agendas. ACTA has successfully applied this approach in New York, Virginia, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, and Texas.
Accountability in Higher Education: Governors Provide Leadership outlines how governors can set the agenda for positive change in higher education. The booklet sets out key steps innovative governors can take to improve accountability and performance, including appointing thoughtful trustees, insisting on trustee training, pursuing best practices in higher education, and reorganizing higher education into a coherent, statewide system.
Legislators
ACTA serves as a go-to resource for legislators interested in academic excellence and accountability.
State and federal legislators can provide a valuable service by holding hearings to educate the public and to make clear that universities are expected to ensure the free exchange of ideas and classrooms free of political abuse. Public attention is increasingly turned to matters of student achievement; K-16 alignment; teacher education; four to six year graduation rates, and remediation. In all of these areas, ACTA knows and can suggest a range of expert viewpoints– designed to showcase public policy challenges and possible solutions.
Over the years, ACTA has counseled legislators on intellectual diversity, trustee training, transparency and accountability, and historical literacy. We are also ready to offer insights into best practices around the country and respond to specific inquiries and requests.
Resources for Policymakers
The Spellings Commission and You—In 2006, the Spellings Commission on the Future of Higher Education, called for “urgent reform.” The Commission’s report explicitly calls upon state policymakers to make reforms happen. This booklet outlines the challenges and what policymakers can do.
Any State Can: A Model for Improving Higher Education—This booklet outlines Colorado’s efforts to limit tuition increases, adopt a core curriculum, control grade inflation and improve teacher training and suggests ways policymakers can adapt these measures to needs of virtually any state.
“We the People,” A Resource Guide to Promoting Historical Literacy for Governors, Legislators, Teachers and Citizens—Studies by ACTA have underscored a serious historical illiteracy amongst our next generation. "We the People," A Resource Guide to Promoting Historical Literacy for Governors, Legislators, Teachers and Citizens responds to that problem and offers ways to encourage a greater emphasis in our schools and colleges on America's history. The Resource guide offers models resolutions and proclamations for policymakers. It also directs readers to premier websites on American history. The Guide was prepared in support of the White House Forum on American History, Civics and Service. To request a copy of the report, please email ACTA at info@goacta.org.
Please see ACTA Publications for reports on issues of academic excellence, academic freedom, and accountability, as well as additional guides for policymakers.
Check out ACTA's blog ACTA's Must-Reads featuring new and topical articles of interest.