Written by: Barmak Nassirian
Published: 03/28/2006

HEA Reauthorization Going from Bad to Worse

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives released a list of amendments it plans to consider as it debates reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA) on the House floor starting tomorrow. While the bill (H.R. 609) itself is no good for American higher education, many amendments would make the legislation even worse.

Two amendments related to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) offered by Rep. Rob Andrews (D-N.J.) are of particular concern to AACRAO members. The first amendment—called Bryan’s law—would require institutions of higher education to request emergency contact information on enrollment forms and to contact the parents of a missing student within 24 hours of the student’s disappearance. The second amendment would provide a private right of action for students to sue institutions for violations of their FERPA rights.

AACRAO does not support H.R. 609 or Mr. Andrew’s amendments.