Policy windows, political bursts, and legislation in practice: Significant reauthorizations of the Higher Education Act

• In Event: Higher Education Policy Influencers: The Impact of National, State, and Third-Sector Agendas on Postsecondary Education

Abstract

Facilitating higher education access is a hallmark of post-World War II policy in the United States. Federal attention and national awareness of the importance of higher education in American democracy culminated with the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA 1965). In this case study, we consider three reauthorizations: 1972, 1986, and 1992. These historical moments in policy-making for higher education signify three important steps in securing equitable access to higher education regardless of race, class, gender, or financial status.
The original HEA 1965 laid the groundwork for access for all by removing financial barriers and specifically defining HBCUs; the 1972 amendments secured access for women, in 1986, minority serving institutions were defined and supported, and in 1992 Hispanic serving institutions were acknowledged and supported. These three amendments are the most significant reauthorization packages to date as each supports equitable access for all who desire higher education.
Through a policy window (Kingdon, 2003) lens, supported by the concept of policy bursts (Baumgartner & Jones, 2009), we analyze the three iterations of the HEA 1965, congressional debates, and presidential speeches, in these three contexts to ascertain the policy streams (Kingdon, 2003) that facilitated the opening of a policy window for bursts of legislation. Last, we consider how current federal policy-makers and leaders can learn from these bursts in access legislation to inform policy debates as the HEA is due for reauthorization in the next Congressional cycle.
The research questions guiding this study are: What were the contextual factors that opened the policy windows in these three historical moments?; What debates challenged/supported policy-makers’ attempts to make higher education accessible to all?; What can the current administration learn from these historical moments to effectively utilize the next window of opportunity to reauthorize the Higher Education Act? Given the theme for AERA, Research, Remedy, and Repair: Toward Just Education Renewal, taking an historical look at one of the most important legislative actions overdue for reauthorization is timely. Understanding the past challenges and victories is the best means to support the policy-makers charged with the duty of continuing the legacy of the HEA and supporting more equitable practices in higher education.

Authors

• Allison Palmadessa, Greensboro College

• Erica Eckert, Kent State University