Congress Votes to Reauthorize Higher Education Act
Bill includes critical victories for educators, but also dangerous “academic bill of rights”

Both the House and Senate voted to reauthorize the Higher Education Act July 31, 2008, marking the first overhaul of the vital legislation in a decade. The legislation includes a number of critical victories for educators that update and improve the law, but also so-called “academic bill of rights” language that the National Education Association has consistently opposed.

“Lawmakers should be applauded for addressing many pressing issues facing higher education, including college affordability, teacher recruitment and collective bargaining,” said NEA President Reg Weaver. “Ensuring access to a quality education must be a bipartisan effort, and it is reassuring to see the resounding support of this legislation from both parties.”

Advocate Online:
Teamwork Works

Improved attendance, better class preparation, higher level of academic performance, enhanced interpersonal and teamwork skills! Sound good? This issue’s Thriving in Academe authors describe an approach to teaching and team-building they’ve used successfully in classes ranging in size from 10 to 400 students in an assortment of academic settings—and that students love. Want to know more?

COCAL VIII International Conference
San Diego, CA

COCAL, the Coalition of Contingent Academic Labor, is having its eighth conference, COCAL VIII, this summer in San Diego at San Diego State University, August 8-10, 2008. Please take a look at the agenda at the conference link, http://www.cocal-ca.org/viii/confhome.htm . Faculty from two and four year colleges from all over the United States, Canada and Mexico will be participating as attendees, conference planners, presenters and moderators.

Academic Freedom and Higher Education Employees

The latest Research Center Update focuses on academic freedom challenges facing higher education faculty and academic professionals. State legislatures have considered a series of measures that would seriously impair academic freedom. Read this research brief for more information about NEA policy on academic freedom, Supreme Court cases, model contract language, and state legislative threats.

New NEA Report

The report, "The NEA and Contingent Academic Workers in Higher Education: NBI 2004-60 Action Plan" ( 217k, 46 pp) is a comprehensive plan of action developed "to secure for contingent academic workers throughout public higher education the rights, benefits and protections that full-time tenure track workers currently enjoy." The elements of the plan include recommendations for research, organizing, political advocacy, collective bargaining, leadership development and capacity building, and communications. For more information, contact highered@nea.org or call 202-822-7162.

Easing Burden of Student Debt

NEA welcomes recent congressional action to address the increasing problems of student debt in legislation to reauthorize the Higher Education Act. The House passed H.R. 2669, the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007. The Senate passed S. 1762, the Higher Education Access Act of 2007, and S. 1642, the Higher Education Amendments of 2007. Follow the action to reauthorize the Higher Education Act and read the letters addressing NEA's concerns. Join the action and read more about the campaign for college affordability on NEA's Student Program Web site.

Joint Priorities for Higher Education Act Reauthorization

Affordability and access to higher education has been the core goal of the Higher Education Act (HEA) since its inception in 1965. The American Federation of Teacher (AFT) and the National Education Association's joint statement of the priorities for the reauthorization HEA makes recommendations that focus on the original goal of HEA — to increase access and make college affordable to students regardless of their financial circumstances. Join the collective voice on AFT and NEA faculty and education professionals on campus across the nation by telling your congressional representative to support our priorities and reauthorize HEA.

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 in the discussion on the future of higher education.

Future of Higher Education CD-ROM

Long before the Department of Education set up the Spellings Commission on the future of higher education, NEA developed a interactive CD-ROM to address important issues of quality, affordability, and access. Review highlights of our scenarios of the future. You are invited to request a complimentary copy of our Future of Higher Education CD-ROM.

Free Exchange Legislation Tracker

Stay informed about legislation in your state that affects academic freedom and intellectual diversity. Check out legislation tracker on the Free Exchange on Campus web site. A quick scan of this table reveals largely unsuccessful campaigns to pass legislation in 2005-06.