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A Broadside for the Nation
April 21, 2026
Recognizing that America’s 250th anniversary is cause for both celebration and a long-overdue call for renewal, 24 historians, political…
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A Broadside for the Nation
April 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.
Civic Education
Educating for a More Perfect Union
ACTA and the Museum of the American Revolution are celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary year with an evening panel discussion on how to reinvigorate history and civics education in American college and university classrooms and across the public history sector.
PROMOTING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Lucas Morel: Frederick Douglass’s Evolving View of Abraham Lincoln
April 23, 2026
On this special civics episode of Higher Ed Now, ACTA’s Michael Poliakoff hosts Washington & Lee University’s John K. Boardman, Jr. Professor of Politics, Lucas Morel. Professor Morel currently serves on the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission and ACTA’s National Commission on American History and Civic Education. He has also co-edited the book “Measuring the Man: The Writings of Frederick Douglass on Abraham Lincoln,” a groundbreaking new volume on how abolitionist Frederick Douglass’s view of Abraham Lincoln evolved as America navigated its way through the Civil War and, eventually, to the Emancipation Proclamation.
Lucas Morel: Frederick Douglass’s Evolving View of Abraham Lincoln
No U.S. History?
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 PDFDEFENDING ACADEMIC FREEDOm
The Faculty Union vs. Viewpoint Diversity
AEIdeas | April 21, 2026 by Samuel Abrams and Steven McGuire
Higher education reformers have long argued that academia needs more viewpoint diversity among the faculty. One group that consistently opposes it? The faculty. In particular, members of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), who should be devoted to defending and promoting a free and open academy, have argued that “Viewpoint Diversity Is a MAGA Plot” and likened calls […]
The Faculty Union vs. Viewpoint DiversityBen Sasse and Mitch Daniels on the Moral Foundations that Sustain America
April 20, 2026
Ben Sasse is an American academic, author, and former politician who served as a U.S. senator from Nebraska from…
ACTA in the NewsCore Curriculum
When the President of the AAUP Calls Colleagues “Clowns”
AEIdeas | April 20, 2026 by Samuel Abrams and Steven McGuire
On April 16, the Wall Street Journal published a modest but critical proposal: that American colleges, especially those receiving federal funds, should…
ACTA Gold Standard for Freedom of Expression
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 PDFENSURING ACCOUNTABILITY
TN bill would add required American history course in colleges
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 collegesShould Louisiana college president searches be secret? A bill is raising transparency concerns.
The 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…
Spring 2026 Higher Ed at Glance
April 8, 2026
ACTA in the States From improving civic education to protecting free expression to strengthening college governance, state policymakers are…
Governance for a New Era
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.
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NEWS
ACTA in the NewsCivic Education
TN bill would add required American history course in colleges
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,…
ACTA in the NewsIntellectual Diversity
The Faculty Union vs. Viewpoint Diversity
AEIdeas | April 21, 2026 by Samuel Abrams and Steven McGuire
Higher education reformers have long argued that academia needs more viewpoint diversity among the faculty. One group that consistently opposes it? The faculty. In particular, members of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), who should be devoted to defending and promoting a f…
HOW ACTA IS SUCCEEDING
370
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.
146
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.
256
institutions have improved their core curriculum requirements based on ACTA’s annual What Will They Learn?® initiative. Visit WhatWillTheyLearn.com
26,500+
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.
795
news outlets in 2025 covered ACTA’s nationwide impact on academic excellence, academic freedom, and accountability in higher education.
275
million dollars in gifts to higher education have been guided through ACTA’s Fund for Academic Renewal. Visit AcademicRenewal.org.
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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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