AFT shares Higher Education Act concerns with Congress

In a letter sent to congressional committees working on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, AFT legislative director Charlotte Fraas laid out the union's interests and priorities relating to this law for the process that begins in the new session. The House and Senate committees had asked interested parties to submit their concerns by the end of 2002.

A long-term priority for AFT members has been ensuring that students with the greatest financial need receive enough help to get to college. Thus the AFT has always focused attention on Title IV of the act, and this reauthorization round is no exception. But the union also is viewing other sections of the act as ripe for improvement and innovation. Specifically, it has made proposals for teacher education, distance education and technology, institutional aid, and issues related to early childhood education and child care.

The AFT is advocating that the maximum award amount of Pell grants be increased and that the program become an entitlement to avoid fights with other programs when the inevitable funding shortfalls occur.

The union also would like to see less emphasis on loans as a student aid resource. Student loan debts act as a disincentive to college graduates considering careers in teaching or public service.

In the area of teacher education, the AFT is proposing measures to strengthen teacher preparation programs, build partnerships and improve accountability. In addition, the union is focusing attention on addressing the needs of children from the earliest years. Ensuring a well-educated early childhood education workforce, and postsecondary education programs to train these workers, is a priority of the union.

Technology and distance education are important tools for expanding the reach of higher education. The act should strengthen measures created to ensure quality and accountability in programs that rely heavily on these tools.
 

Don't rob Perkins to pay Pells

One idea floating around Capitol Hill in December elicited groans from education organizations. The Bush administration let it be known that it was considering eliminating the $1.2 billion budget for the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act with the goal of using the money to alleviate chronic Pell grant program shortfalls.

Perkins funds go to two-year colleges and high schools to help pay for equipment, staff development, developmental classes and curriculum design. The funds support students who are pursuing careers in the trades.

Shortly after rumors that the administration wanted to end the program began to spread, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) addressed the issue in a speech she delivered at the Borough of Manhattan Community College. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, Sen. Clinton said she had written to the president beseeching him not to rob "Perkins to pay for Pell."

The president's budget plan is expected to be released in February.