How does the federal deficit factor in the re-authorization of HEA?
Fusco: Despite an obvious and documented need to do more to help students and their families afford higher education, the federal deficit has restricted funds available for the key HEA programs of student grants and loans. With no new resources, the Congress has turned to accountability. We believe that better accountability will help students and the public. However, CHEA does not want inflexible mandates and government control of accreditation. HED: Where are the re-authorization HEA proposals headed? Fusco: On May 5, the House GOP education leaders issued a new HEA bill (HR 4283) with four key accreditation proposals: Measuring student learning outcomes: The new bill proposes new federal standards for these outcomes. Three years ago, Congress made reforms in elementary and secondary education on the model of “No Child Left Behind.” Some people in the Federal government are advocating using this same model for the higher education act. CHEA feels that the two US education systems are
