NEA and the Future of Higher Education Commission

Our Voice on the Future of Higher Education

NEA leaders attended five regional summits held by the Department of Education to discuss their action plan for higher education. Read about our actions to keep NEA in the discussion on the future of higher education.

Speaking on College Affordability

Read the testimony of NEA Student Program Chairperson Anthony Daniels, on the issue of college affordability, before a recent US Department of Education rulemaking hearing. Anthony's personal testimony brought to light the burden of large student debt, insufficient federal aid, and the need to implement the recommendations that focus on access and affordability from the Secretary’s Commission on the Future of Higher Education report.

Testifying at a hearing in Orlando, Florida on the Spellings Commission report, United Faculty of Florida president Tom Auxter makes recommendations on affordability, standardized testing, and the academic staffing crisis.

NEA Responds to the Future of Higher Education Commission

Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings addressed the issues raised by the Secretary’s Commission on the Future of Higher Education in a speech to the National Press Club on Tuesday, September 26, 2006. NEA released this statement in response to the Secretary’s speech.

NEA Leaders Engage the Spellings Commission

NEA President Reg Weaver's letter to the Department of Education's Commission on the Future of Higher Education expressed our concerns about a critical and unsubstantiated issue paper released by the Commission. NCHE President Kathy Sproles and NEA staff continued the dialogue in a meeting with the staff of the Commission.

Accessible and Affordable Higher Education for All

That's the message Cathy Boudreau, president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, left with the Commission on the Future of Higher Education during her testimony.  Representing the NEA, Cathy spoke to the importance of higher education and improving student aid. Her written testimony also addressed respecting and valuing the higher education workforce and their right to organize as well as protecting the right of faculty to freely raise controversial issues in the classroom. 

The Issue of Graduation Rates

Len Paolillo, college professor and chair of NEA's Legislative Committee, spoke to the Commission on the Future of Higher Education on the issue of using graduation rates as an accountability measure at postsecondary institutions. Injecting reality into the discussion, Len testifies about how student characteristics such as part-time enrollment, working full time, and being a single parent negatively affect college completion. The Research Center Update, Rethinking Graduation Rates as Accountability Measures provides more information.