The first Higher Education Act (HEA) was passed in 1965, it was touted as a leap forward in establishing policies thatbenefit those who attend institutions of higher education. However, with the cost of college increasing and the average amount of student debt still climbing, it is time for HEA to get an overhaul. HEA was last reauthorized in 2008 and was set to expire at the end of 2013. A new reauthorization was unable to be reached though, and it appears one is unlikely in the 115th Congress. With the college landscape changing so rapidly, it is far past time for the federal government to update this law.
NASSP hopes that congress and the presidential administration will prioritize updating HEA in a way that provides relief for all graduates, while ensuring that institutions of higher education are held to high-quality standards that produce prepared graduates.
Legislative or Policy Priorities
- Increase dual and concurrent enrollment opportunities that provide new or additional professional development and certificate options for educators.
- Supporting policies or reforms that grant loan forgiveness to principals, assistant principals and other school leaders. This includes the Recruiting and Retaining Effective School Leaders Act.
- Improving the quality and accountability of teacher and principal preparation programs.
- Streamlining the use of Title II funds in both ESSA and HEA to ensure that educators are provided the funds they were promised.
- Teachers are Leaders Act (S. 1413)
- Making Education Affordable and Accessible Act (H.R. 1710/S. 718)