Gates Foundation Launches Postsecondary Value Commission in Hopes of Influencing the Ongoing Higher Ed Reauthorization in Congress
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is embarking on a new initiative to assess the worth of higher education. The foundation aims for this effort to influence the ongoing federal debate surrounding the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.
Mildred Garcia, co-chair of the new Commission on Value in Postsecondary Education and president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, emphasized the need for the initiative to produce meaningful, actionable information rather than another report that will simply gather dust on a shelf.
The ultimate goal is for this information to be utilized by students and families to make informed decisions about pursuing higher education, by college leaders to evaluate the effectiveness of their programs, and by policymakers to measure the value of public investments. Garcia stated this during a conference call with reporters.
One of the key audiences the commission hopes will find the information immediately relevant is Congress. Congress is currently in the process of reworking the Higher Education Act, and the commission believes that providing a clear definition of the value of college, quantifiable and developed by a diverse group of advocates, could significantly impact the reauthorization process.
The commission’s definition of value could specifically aid Congress in making decisions regarding Pell Grants and federal-state partnerships. Pell Grants, which amount to approximately $28 billion in annual federal spending, are vital for supporting low-income students. Federal-state partnerships incentivize states to maintain investments in higher education to keep costs down for students.
However, time is not on the commission’s side. Reauthorization efforts have already begun on Capitol Hill, with draft bills expected to be released by Senate education committee leaders later this month. The Gates commission, on the other hand, is not scheduled to submit its final report until mid-2020.
Sue Desmond-Hellmann, CEO of the Gates Foundation and co-chair of the commission, acknowledged that the commission will be working simultaneously with ongoing discussions on Capitol Hill. The commission aims to inform these discussions as much as possible.
Furthermore, Desmond-Hellmann stated that the Gates Foundation will use the commission’s definition of higher education value when making future investment decisions.
The 30-member commission will focus on the economic value of degrees, while also taking into account other factors such as improved health outcomes, increased voting participation, and enhanced critical thinking skills associated with higher education attendance.
Cheryl Oldham, vice president of education policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and a commission member, explained that most individuals pursue postsecondary education to enhance their career prospects. Economic indicators that reflect improved career opportunities are particularly important for older adults who are returning for further education to enhance their job prospects.
The Gates Foundation’s initiative will go beyond existing earnings data, such as the federal College Scorecard, which provides average earnings for graduates of each university. The value assessment will also consider employment rates, economic mobility, and how these outcomes differ across race, gender, and family income.
The Foundation highlighted that Americans are increasingly concerned about the value of higher education. Polling data revealed that a majority of respondents believe higher education is moving in the wrong direction, with high tuition costs and a lack of necessary skills for students being the top reasons for this perception.
In press materials, the Foundation likened the economic value of higher education to that of a healthy diet. While widely recognized, some groups are unable to access it due to factors like community norms, lack of accessibility, and alternative options.
Desmond-Hellmann emphasized the Foundation’s goal of simplifying the connection between higher education and economic opportunity.
Disclosure: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation provides financial support to .
