Commission publishes

The Commission on the Future of Higher Education reconvened today in Indianapolis hosting a two-day meeting. It is the fourth such meeting since Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings organized the group to examine higher education issues in America today. This week’s meeting focuses on affordability and accreditation.

As a prelude to various meetings, the Commission has released several “Issue Papers” that discuss different topics that have come before the board. It is believed that the “Issue Papers” will help the Commission in their work and ultimate policy recommendation, which could come later this year.

Those “Issue Papers” are:

Frequently Asked Questions About College Costs by Robert C. Dickeson

Eliminating Complexity and Inconsistency in Federal Financial Aid Programs for Higher Education Students: Towards a More Strategic Approach by Barry D. Burgdorf and Kent Kostka

Setting the Context by Charles Miller and Cheryl Oldham

Accountability/Assessment by Charles Miller and Geri Malandra

Accountability/Consumer Information by Charles Miller

Recognized Accrediting Organizations

Assuring Quality in Higher Education: Key Issues and Questions for Changing Accreditation in the United States by Vickie Schray

The Need for Accreditation Reform by Robert C. Dickeson

Non Academic Issues related to Improving College Access for Underserved Students by Ann Coles

Education and Workforce Development

Creating a Higher Education Accountability System: The Texas Experience by Geri H. Malandra

A Transparent Approach to Higher Education Accountability: Developed and Implemented by The University of Texas System

Dealing with Affordability: Thoughts for the Affordability Task Force by Richard Vedder

Four Questions on the Labor Economics of Higher Education by Daniel S. Hamermesh