In the Know
Key Legislators View Higher Ed

A recent NEA survey finds state legislative education committee leaders see higher education—especially community colleges—as key to a sound state economy.

Maintaining a first-rate state higher education system is critical to bringing in and keeping high-paying jobs, key legislators reported in NEA's recent survey.

The report, Where We Go From Here: State Legislative Views on Higher Education in the New Millennium, is based on interviews with 64 state legislators representing all 50 states. The legislators serve on education committees in their states.

Nonetheless, even though legislators understand the importance of higher education institutions to the economic viability of their states, they also report that colleges and universities are often among the first places legislators look to cut funding when budgets get tight.

"What this report shows is what we've known in the education community all along—higher education faculty members make important contributions to the financial health of their state," says NEA President Bob Chase. "As the economy starts to slow down, I urge all of our political leaders to remember how indispensable our higher education faculty are to reviving the economy."

Legislators also credited higher education institutions with contributing to state efforts aimed at "growing" their own workforces.

"Almost without exception, the legislators I talked to emphasized that higher education contributes directly to the state's efforts to have a healthy economy," said Sandra Ruppert, the researcher who conducted the report for the NEA.

Other findings:
While legislators support funds for adding or expanding degree programs in fields where there is a shortage of workers, they don't think getting a high-paying job should be the only reason for attending college.

Nearly all of the legislators mentioned higher education's critical role in preparing, training and supporting highly qualified education professionals for K-12 schools.

Although legislators continue to look to technology to increase access, they've learned that providing these services isn't cheap.

Creating new faculty positions and raising faculty salaries were among the legislators' most important legislative priorities. But they conceded that budget tightening could mean other projects would take precedence.

To receive a copy of the report, visit www.nea.org/he/leg-news/images/gofrom.pdf.