Higher Education Amendments of 1986

Higher Education Amendments of 1986 were a set of amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965, aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of higher education in the United States. The amendments were signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on November 12, 1986, after being passed by the 98th United States Congress. The legislation built upon the foundation established by the Higher Education Act of 1965, which was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The amendments also drew inspiration from the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, signed into law by President Gerald Ford, and the Vocational Education Act of 1963, signed into law by President John F. Kennedy.

● Introduction

The Higher Education Amendments of 1986 were designed to address various issues in the higher education system, including student financial aid, institutional accreditation, and faculty development. The amendments were influenced by the work of National Education Association, American Council on Education, and the College Board. The legislation also drew on the expertise of United States Department of Education officials, including Secretary of Education William Bennett, and National Center for Education Statistics researchers. Additionally, the amendments were shaped by the recommendations of the National Commission on Excellence in Education, which was established by President Ronald Reagan in 1981, and the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education, which was founded by Carnegie Corporation of New York.

● Legislative History

The Higher Education Amendments of 1986 were the result of a lengthy legislative process, involving United States Senate and United States House of Representatives committees, including the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources and the House Committee on Education and Labor. The legislation was sponsored by Senator Claiborne Pell, Senator Robert Stafford, Representative Augustus Hawkins, and Representative William Goodling. The amendments were also influenced by the work of Congressional Budget Office, General Accounting Office, and the Library of Congress. Furthermore, the legislation was shaped by the input of National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, American Association of Community Colleges, and the Association of American Universities.

● Provisions

The Higher Education Amendments of 1986 included several key provisions, such as the establishment of the Federal Family Education Loan Program, which was designed to provide low-interest loans to students and their families. The amendments also created the National Science Foundation's Undergraduate Education Program, which aimed to improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. Additionally, the legislation authorized the Department of Education to provide grants to institutions of higher education for faculty development and curriculum improvement. The amendments also drew on the expertise of National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Institutes of Health, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

● Impact

The Higher Education Amendments of 1986 had a significant impact on the higher education system in the United States. The legislation helped to increase access to higher education for low-income students and minority students, through programs such as the Federal Pell Grant Program and the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program. The amendments also led to improvements in institutional accreditation and academic quality, through the work of accrediting agencies such as the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Furthermore, the legislation influenced the development of distance education programs, such as those offered by Western Governors University and the University of Phoenix.

● Implementation and Oversight

The implementation and oversight of the Higher Education Amendments of 1986 were carried out by the United States Department of Education, in conjunction with state education agencies and institutions of higher education. The legislation established the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, which was responsible for advising the Secretary of Education on matters related to institutional accreditation and academic quality. The amendments also authorized the Department of Education to conduct evaluations and studies to assess the effectiveness of federal student aid programs and higher education initiatives. Additionally, the legislation drew on the expertise of National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, State Higher Education Executive Officers, and the Education Commission of the States.

● Reauthorization and Amendments

The Higher Education Amendments of 1986 have been reauthorized and amended several times since their enactment, including the Higher Education Amendments of 1992, signed into law by President George H.W. Bush, and the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, signed into law by President Bill Clinton. The legislation has also been influenced by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, signed into law by President George W. Bush, and the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, signed into law by President Barack Obama. The amendments have continued to shape the higher education system in the United States, with a focus on improving access, affordability, and accountability. The legislation has also been shaped by the input of American Association of State Colleges and Universities, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

Category:United States federal education legislation