For The Media

In this section, you will find information specifically targeted to the needs and interests of journalists, as well as recent coverage of issues relating to accountability in higher education. 

As Congress has focused on accountability in recent months, the complexities and diversity of the nation's array of higher education institutions often is oversimplified.  In reporting on those discussions, media representatives may find this site useful in defining both the terms and the issues.

Views on Accountability . . .

Should College Students Be Tested to Hold Institutions Accountable for Student Learning?
Trusteeship, May/June 2006

President Pat McGuire's Remarks at Trinity University (DC) Commencement, May 21, 2006.

Panel Explores Standard Tests for Colleges
The New York Times, February 9, 2006

What Now? What Can We Do Once We Have the CLA Results?
CAE, 2006

Faster, Better, Cheaper: The Iron Triangle of Higher Education Assessment
CAE, 2006

Life isn’t a multiple choice question
CAE, 2006

What does college teach?
The Atlantic Monthly, November 2005

Measure by Measure
The Atlantic Monthly, Oct. 2004


In the News . . .

Florida:  "An FCAT for College Juniors?" (St. Petersburg Times, July 24, 2003)
State education officials are exploring the creation of a test, similar to the K-12 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, to be administered to all public college and university seniors.

"Feds Try to Push Colleges for More Accountability" (Gannett News Service, June 5, 2003)
An overview of some of the ideas being floated on increasing higher education accountability as Congress begins work on reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.

"Today's Debate:  Rising College Tuition" (USA Today, June 5, 2003) looks at the role of higher education accountability in families making informed decisions.  The USA Today editors' view:  "Schools resist disclosing data that could measure degrees' worth."  The opposing view, by David Ward, president, American Council on Education:  "Accountability is important, but it must respect colleges' diversity."  (The USA Today editors' view is available on line for a fee; go to USA Today Archives and type "rising college tuition" -- in quotes -- into the search field.)

"A Threat to Quality of Higher Education" (Baltimore Sun, June 2, 2003)
This opinion piece argues that, while presented in the name of accountability, a recent proposal by Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon to cap tuition increases would in fact decrease higher education quality and/or accessibility for lower-income students.

"Colleges and the Three R's" (Christian Science Monitor, May 22, 2003)
In this editorial, CSM observes that higher education must find new ways to demonstrate its worth, and points to a concept being proposed in Texas for testing of college students in the their sophomore year on basic skills.