From Capitol To Campus

The Higher Education Act of 1965, the law governing most federal funding for student aid and institutional support, is not due to be reauthorized until early 2003, but key Congressional staff are already beginning to lay the groundwork for the debates that will shape the federal role in higher education in the future.

This fall and winter, NEA will be asked for input on the issues higher ed faculty and staff see as important to consider in the reauthorization. Through this process, NEA members have an opportunity to provide guidance to policymakers about what's working, what isn't, and what needs to be done.

Word from Capitol Hill is that the "hot" issues will be distance learning and teacher training.

Lawmakers want to know how technology can be harnessed to expand access to higher education while ensuring the delivery of high-quality courses.

One initiative funded in the last reauthorization, Learning Anywhere Anytime, will be scrutinized. The demonstration project promised to deliver high quality higher education and career-oriented lifelong learning courses that met clear accountability measures. Congress will want to make sure they met their goals.

Teacher preparation programs and teacher quality partnerships are also important to lawmakers. Because NEA higher ed members, regardless of discipline, often teach future teachers, Congress will be interested in what we have to say in this area, too.

Have thoughts about what NEA should present to Congress on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act? Contact NEA lobbyist Kim Anderson at: kanderson@nea.org.