Join Us
ACTA in the NewsWestern Civilization
How to Teach a Great Tradition
The Dispatch | January 30, 2026 by Jessica Hooten Wilson
On the issue of “Western civilization,” I would like to, in pursuit of fairness and truth, say something that…


Join ACTA in promoting Academic Excellence, Academic Freedom, and Accountability in higher education.
Engage Today
See how much average college tuition has increased since 2016—and why.
Learn more
Find top-rated colleges based on core curriculum requirements.
Search schools
Giving is your legacy. Advising you is ours. Let us help you craft your next gift.
Make your gift countJanuary 20, 2026 by Armand B. Alacbay
Last night, approximately 20 million people watched Indiana University win its first-ever college football national championship, capping off a chaotic year for those who follow the business side of college sports. Among the myriad questions in play: Can a university contractually force students to play football for their school? That nearly became a reality for […]
For too long, colleges and universities have neglected teaching the American story to undergraduates, with fewer than one in five institutions requiring a course in U.S. government or history for graduation. Most students are leaving college without a grasp of their own system of government, a situation that is particularly alarming in an age of rising polarization. ACTA has taken a significant step to address this crisis by convening the National Commission on American History and Civic Education, comprised of esteemed historians, political scientists, and education leaders.
National Review | February 6, 2026 by Daniel M. Rothschild
Since the advent of television, American presidents have used their farewell addresses to deliver messages that can only come from a chief executive preparing to depart the White House for the final time. These speeches typically seek to recapitulate in the best light the previous four or eight years and use the bully pulpit one last time to […]
Is There Any Hope for Reagan’s ‘Informed Patriotism’?The Dispatch | January 30, 2026 by Jessica Hooten Wilson
On the issue of “Western civilization,” I would like to, in pursuit of fairness and truth, say something that…
The College Fix | January 29, 2026 by Micaiah Bilger
Despite the drop, more than half of students’ grades are still As Harvard University students received fewer As in…
ACTA’s report, “No U.S. History? How College History Departments Leave the United States out of the Major,” found that 18 of the top 25 public universities did not have a wide-ranging American history requirement for students seeking a B.A. in history in the major or core curriculum.
Download PDFCowboy State Daily | February 10, 2026 by Guest Column
Wyoming has a great university. That did not happen by accident, and it should not be taken for granted. As president of the University of Wyoming, I am proud of what generations of Wyoming citizens have built. But, more importantly, I believe we must be clear about why Wyoming’s university matters — especially at a moment when […]
Wyoming Has A Great University. Our Kids — And Our State — Deserve ItFebruary 10, 2026
Today, the Committee on Postsecondary Education of the Oklahoma House of Representatives considered legislation, House Bill 3129, which would…
Minding The Campus | February 9, 2026 by Steven McGuire
“Welcome to Sarah Lawrence.” That was college president Cristle Collins Judd’s joking reaction on stage after members of the local Students…
ACTA now provides a blueprint to help higher education regain and live by this core principle. The ACTA Gold Standard for Freedom of Expression™ provides clear guidance for institutions to create a culture of free thought on their campuses.
Download PDFJanuary 29, 2026 by Kyle Beltramini
This morning the South Carolina House Higher Education Subcommittee unanimously advanced two bills strengthening training for members of its higher education governing and coordinating boards. House Bills 4736 and 4737 ensure that new members of the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education and new trustees serving public institutions will develop a comprehensive orientation and training […]
Trustee Training Bills Advance in South CarolinaInside Higher Ed | January 27, 2026 by Jessica Blake
The Department of Education is taking its next major step toward overhauling the college accreditation system, inviting higher ed…
January 20, 2026 by Armand B. Alacbay
Last night, approximately 20 million people watched Indiana University win its first-ever college football national championship, capping off a…
Governance for a New Era is a blueprint for higher education governance. Signatories to the statement, a diverse group of 22 distinguished national leaders dedicated to ensuring America’s colleges and universities shed 20th century thinking and successfully meet 21st century challenges.
Download PDFCowboy State Daily | February 10, 2026 by Guest Column
Wyoming has a great university. That did not happen by accident, and it should not be taken for granted. As president of the University of Wyoming, I am proud of what generations of Wyoming citizens have built. But, more importantly, I believe we must be clear about why Wyoming’s univer…
Minding The Campus | February 9, 2026 by Steven McGuire
“Welcome to Sarah Lawrence.” That was college president Cristle Collins Judd’s joking reaction on stage after members of the local Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter disrupted a “building bridges” event that featured New York Times columnist Ezra Klein. …
National Review | February 6, 2026 by Daniel M. Rothschild
Since the advent of television, American presidents have used their farewell addresses to deliver messages that can only come from a chief executive preparing to depart the White House for the final time. These speeches typically seek to recapitulate in the best light the previous …
The Dispatch | January 30, 2026 by Jessica Hooten Wilson
On the issue of “Western civilization,” I would like to, in pursuit of fairness and truth, say something that offends everyone. As the American writer Walker Percy once joked, “What else can you do when some of your allies give you as big a pain as your opponents?” I should have credence in this …
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 100+ Institutions have engaged in 400+ civil discourse debates, dialogues, and workshops through ACTA’s college debates program partnership with Braver Angels and Bridge USA.
news outlets in 2024 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.
Discover MoreSign up to receive updates on the most pressing issues facing our college campuses.