Citizens for Responsible Education Reform
National Commission on the Cost
of Higher Education
College Tuition Going Up...and Up...and Up
Issue Description
Since the early 1980s, college tuition has increased
annually at two to three times the rate of inflation. According
to the General Accounting Office (GAO), between 1981 and 1995,
tuition at 4-year public colleges and universities increased 234
percent. During the same period of time, median household income
rose 82 percent and the consumer price index rose only 74 percent. Parents, students, and policy makers must work together with colleges and universities to slow tuition inflation, or the
American Dream of a college education for those who want it is in
jeopardy.
CRER Analysis and Position
A newly appointed Commission, established as a result of
the recently passed Cost of Higher Education Review Act, met
in August to begin determining what can be done to reign
in tuition costs that have spiraled out of control. The
Commission is to report its recommendations for administrative
and legislative action within four months of its initial meeting
(December '97 timeframe).
CRER will withold judgment on the actions of Congress pertaining
to this issue until after the Commission's report is made public.
At the same time, CRER wishes to emphasize the many opportunities
that still exist for parents and students to seek grants,
scholarships, and financial aid through existing organizations.
Additionally, CRER is opposed to providing
"free" government money to students for simply attending school
and maintaining a B average, or other similar proposals that have
become popular with many politicians lately. In the
view of CRER, this will lead to grade inflation, dumbing the
curriculum down further, or both.
For additional information on this issue, visit:
Education pages
at the National Center for Policy Analysis
Republicans Respond to National Commission on the Cost of Higher Education Report
House
Committee on Education and the Workforce
Department of
Education Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance
Send
comments and mail to CRER
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Last updated by Citizens for Responsible Education Reform on 5/2/98
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