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Make your gift countApril 21, 2026
In this Broadside for the Nation, we explain in detail why American higher education must restore this foundational requirement for college graduates to know the American story, what such a course might include, and, crucially, how to make this vision a reality.
The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) commends Yale University for its willingness to take a hard look in the mirror with its newly released Report of the Committee on Trust in Higher Education. While so many others avoid taking any responsibility for the decline of American higher education, Yale has acknowledged the need to make changes in the face of the American people’s deep dissatisfaction with our colleges and universities: “Those of us in higher education have too often resisted calls to critically examine our own institutions, professions, and modes of thought,” the Report states.
May 5, 2026
Washington, DC – The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) has announced the 2026 annual refresh of its What Will They Learn?® initiative, highlighting not only a major update to the data on WhatWillTheyLearn.com, but also enduring dedication to academic standards across colleges and universities nationwide. This year’s release has seen 19 institutions earning […]
“A”-Rated Institutions Lead a Return to Rigor: ACTA Releases Annual What Will They Learn?® FindingsACTA in the NewsCivic Education
The Daily Pennsylvanian | April 27, 2026 by Bo Goergen
Over my four years at Penn, I have participated in countless discussions in my humanities classes surrounding important historical…
ACTA in the NewsCivic Education
Washington Examiner | April 25, 2026 by Samuel J. Abrams
In 2025, New Yorkers elected Mayor Zohran Mamdani, 34, a self-described “democratic socialist” who ran on rent freezes, city-run grocery…
May 6, 2026
Gnōthi seauton—know thyself!—was the maxim at Delphi that Socrates famously adopted. The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) commends Yale University for its willingness to take a hard look in the mirror with its newly released Report of the Committee on Trust in Higher Education. While so many others avoid taking any responsibility for […]
New Yale Report on Trust in Higher Education Is an Important Step Toward Higher Education ReformMay 4, 2026
In this episode of Radio Free Campus, podcast co-hosts Steve McGuire and Justin Garrison talk with Benjamin Crocker, University…
ACTA in the NewsFreedom of Expression
Deseret News | April 29, 2026 by Jason Swensen
Protecting free expression is essential on America’s college campuses — not only for educating students, but also for the…
The Nashville News.Net | April 22, 2026 by Danielle Smith
Legislation being considered by Tennessee lawmakers would require all undergraduate students to take classes on American history and government. The more than 80 public and independent higher education institutions in Tennessee collectively serve approximately 360,000 students. Michael Poliakoff, president of the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, testified in March about House Bill 291. He sees it as a […]
TN bill would add required American history course in collegesThe Advocate | April 22, 2026 by Sam Karlin
A Louisiana state lawmaker says he plans to amend his bill that would have kept records secret about who is applying…
April 8, 2026
ACTA in the States From improving civic education to protecting free expression to strengthening college governance, state policymakers are…
ACTA in the NewsFreedom of Expression
Deseret News | April 29, 2026 by Jason Swensen
Protecting free expression is essential on America’s college campuses — not only for educating students, but also for the strengthening of the nation. That pitch for free speech in higher education anchored Utah Rep. Burgess Owens’ message at Wednesday’s congressional hearing focusing on the futu…
ACTA in the NewsCivic Education
The Daily Pennsylvanian | April 27, 2026 by Bo Goergen
Over my four years at Penn, I have participated in countless discussions in my humanities classes surrounding important historical issues, including imperialism, inequality, and oppression. In these classes, America is often defined as a catalog of its failures and injustices. Most students under…
ACTA in the NewsCivic Education
Washington Examiner | April 25, 2026 by Samuel J. Abrams
In 2025, New Yorkers elected Mayor Zohran Mamdani, 34, a self-described “democratic socialist” who ran on rent freezes, city-run grocery stores, and expansive redistribution. Exit polls showed him winning 78% of voters under 30. Five months later, Seattle elected Katie Wilson, 43, a charismatic s…
institutions have been counseled by ACTA on matters of cost effectiveness, financial governance, and institutional spending. See ACTA’s one-of-a-kind higher education financial analysis tool: HowCollegesSpendMoney.com.
institutions and systems representing nearly four million students, encouraged by ACTA, reaffirmed their commitment to free speech on campus by adopting the Chicago Principles on Freedom of Expression or a policy of institutional neutrality.
institutions have improved their core curriculum requirements based on ACTA’s annual What Will They Learn?® initiative. Visit WhatWillTheyLearn.com
students from 140 institutions have engaged in 660 civil discourse debates, dialogues, and workshops through ACTA’s college debates program partnership with Braver Angels and Bridge USA.
news outlets in 2025 covered ACTA’s nationwide impact on academic excellence, academic freedom, and accountability in higher education.
million dollars in gifts to higher education have been guided through ACTA’s Fund for Academic Renewal. Visit AcademicRenewal.org.
Launched in 1995, we are the only organization that works with alumni, donors, trustees, and education leaders across the United States to support liberal arts education, uphold high academic standards, safeguard the free exchange of ideas on campus, and ensure that the next generation receives an intellectually rich, high-quality college education at an affordable price.
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