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NEA-AFT Statement on Higher Education Act

NEA and the American Federation of Teachers, which together represent more than 90 percent of America's unionized higher education faculty and professional staff, jointly support the following priorities for the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA).

Since its inception, the core goal of the HEA has been to increase access to a college and university education, and any reauthorization proposal must build on that goal.

Along with access, the Act addresses issues of quality, accountability, and student services to ensure that federal aid dollars finance only soundly managed and high standard colleges and universities and that all students receive the educational support they need to succeed in college and beyond.

The HEA also recognizes the importance of providing educational opportunities to meet the growing diversity of students, faculty, and institutions.

Finally, the Act has always recognized the importance of safeguarding academic freedom by observing a policy of non-intervention in educational decision-making on campus.

In keeping with these priorities, AFT and NEA have issued a number of joint recommendations regarding the reauthorization. These recommendations express our major interests and concerns regarding the Higher Education Act, and our effort to provide them jointly indicates that the faculty and other education professionals at a wide range of our nation's postsecondary institutions are in strong agreement on these issues.

Each organization may well provide additional material on specific aspects of the bill during the congressional reauthorization process.