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Headlines Spellings Report Spells Out Future for Higher Ed in U.S. Is higher education in the U.S. in trouble? Yes, if it doesn't undergo a series of tough reforms. That's the gist of a report recently offered by the Com- mission on the Future of Higher Education, which was organized last year by U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings. The charge of the 19-person commission was to develop "a com- prehensive national strat- egy for postsecondary education that will meet the needs of America's diverse population and also address the econom- ic and workforce needs of the country's future," according to government press releases. Already controversial, the Spellings Report has been released to the American public via a series of drafts that first appeared this summer. The commission studied four key areas of higher education today: access, affordability, quality, and accountability. The report offers far-reaching recommendations that the commission admits will only be achieved with the cooperation of diverse stakeholders—colleges and universities, accrediting bodies, state and federal policy makers, elemen- tary and secondary schools, the business community, and parents and students. Castigating American higher education as complacent, the report claims the U.S. educational system is risk-averse, self-satisfied, and unduly expensive. Like railroads and steel manufacturers, the report warns, the 10 BizEd NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 education industry must adapt or risk being left behind by educational systems in other countries. Among the commission's suggestions: n Foster more cooperation between K–12 systems, post-second- ary institutions, and policymakers to insure that access to higher educa- tion is simpler and more straight- forward. The authors of the report noted that they were "particularly database that would allow stakehold- ers to compare institutions. In the report, postsecondary schools and individual faculty are encouraged to increase their use of learning out- come measures, while accreditation agencies are urged to "make perfor- mance outcomes...the core of their assessment as a priority over inputs or processes." n Embrace "a culture of con- tinuous innovation," designed to serve the knowledge economy through new pedago- gies, curricula, and technology. The com- mission would also like to see schools develop a strategy to encourage lifelong learning among Americans. The report is bound to spark much debate among educators, says Arthur Kraft, dean of the Argyros School of Busi- ness and Economics at Chapman University in troubled by gaps in college access for low-income Americans and eth- nic and racial minorities." n Improve the affordability of higher education by urging colleges and universities to implement cost- cutting measures, increase produc- tivity, and adopt new technology. The commission also recommends simplifying the current standard financial aid forms and putting greater emphasis on need-based financial aid. n Insist on more transparency and accountability from colleges and universities. These institutions would contribute information about cost, price, and student outcomes to a consumer-friendly information Orange, California, and the board chair for AACSB. "The report from the Commis- sion on the Future of Higher Edu- cation will have an impact on all of us," says Kraft. "This is especially true of the accreditation process of AACSB International. Anyone famil- iar with our standards and processes knows that we emphasize overall high quality and accountability. On the other hand, some aspects of the report will have a significant impact on us if the recommendations are implemented in their current form. I remain optimistic that a common ground may be reached that satisfies all stakeholders. Otherwise, we will be challenged."