Updated: October 11, 2008
A new report, the 23rd edition of “Minorities in Education,” shows that for the first time in many decades, the current young generation will not bypass the previous generation in educational advancement. The study, done by the American Council on Education, found that the percentage of young adults aged 25 to 29 and older adults aged 30 and above with at least an associate degree in 2006 was about the same, approximately 35 percent. For Hispanics and American Indians, young adults have even less education than previous generations.
AAUW is committed to making the dream of a higher education a reality for women, as post-secondary education becomes more of a necessity in an increasingly competitive job market. Read more about AAUW’s position on education and the Higher Education Act.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for October 10, 2008.
A new study published Friday in the Notices of the American Mathematical Society suggests that the U.S. is failing to develop the math skills of students, especially those with the most talent for the field. According to the New York Times, the study found that U.S. culture fails to identify—and in fact discourages—students that have exceptional talent in math. The findings may be even more true for girls.
AAUW supports promoting and strengthening science, technology, engineering, and math education, especially for girls and other underrepresented populations. These efforts will help increase America’s competitiveness by reducing gender barriers that deter women from pursuing academic and career goals in STEM fields. Supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, AAUW is implementing the National Girls Collaborative Project, a program designed to reach girl-serving STEM organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico. Read more about the NGCP, and see our position paper on STEM education.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for October 10, 2008.
On a related note, a recent report released from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that 25 million individuals were enrolled in a higher education institution during the 2006-2007 academic year. Of the 25 million students registered for classes 21.6 million were undergraduates, 3.1 million were graduate students, and 367,000 were first-professional students. During that time, four-year institutions granted 2.4 million degrees, and two-year institutions awarded 563,875 degrees. Forty-two percent of the degrees awarded by four-year institutions were to men and 58 percent went to women, while 37 percent of degrees awarded by two-year institutions went to men and 63 percent to women.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for October 10, 2008.
On Oct. 2, the U.S. Department of Education issued guidance regarding funding under Title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The guidance clarified that states should use federal funding in addition to state and local funding and should not use federal funds to supplant their obligations to fund education.
AAUW is pleased that this guidance reiterates states’ obligations to provide the commitment and resources necessary to ensure a quality public education for all students. For more information, read AAUW’s position paper on the ESEA and the No Child Left Behind Act.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for October 10, 2008.
As part of the 35th anniversary celebration of the Office of Women in Higher Education, the American Council on Education is inviting you to submit brief profiles and photos of women who are extraordinary to you, as part of “35 Weeks of Women.” These women can be mothers, daughters, mentors, friends or just women in your community whom you admire. To submit your stories, email them to Debra Louallen-Cole, Program Associate for OWHE.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for October 3, 2008.
A new survey of 600 girls ages 12-18 found that 90 percent reported experiencing sexual harassment. Christia Brown, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Kentucky, and Campbell Leaper, professor of psychology at the University of California Santa Cruz, were surprised by the results of their study that showed the pervasiveness of sexual harassment and sexism in schools. In addition to the fact that nine out of 10 girls face sexual harassment at least once, female athletes and academically talented girls are more likely to be subjected to sexist comments. Sexual harassment can be either physical or verbal, and can have a profound affect on self-esteem and body image, the women found. One tragic affect of this is that girl’s can begin to become complacent to the problem and blame themselves for others behavior.
AAUW believes that ensuring and increasing access to educational opportunities for all women and girls is imperative to helping them obtain financial security and economic independence. For more information, read AAUW’s position paper on sexual harassment
- from AAUW's Washington Update for October 3, 2008.
Battered by the worsening economy, college students are seeking federal financial aid in record numbers this year. As of the end of July, 800,000 more students had applied for grants than on that date last year, partly due to the increasing amount of non-traditional students who are returning to school in light of the grim fiscal outlook. According to the New York Times, The U.S. Department of Education warned that Pell grants, the most important source of federal financial aid, will need an additional $6 billion in taxpayer funds to keep the program afloat without cutting the size of grants.
AAUW believes that ensuring and increasing access to educational opportunities for all women and girls is imperative to helping them obtain financial security and economic independence. AAUW sent a letter to House members asking their support for additional Pell grant funding in the spending bill passed on Wednesday. Please read AAUW’S position on access to higher education.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for Sept. 26, 2008.
The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee held a hearing Thursday to discuss the Bush administration’s plan for implementing the new G.I. Bill. According to Inside Higher Ed, many present at the hearing expressed concerns about the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs plans to privatize and outsource the administration of the law. National Public Radio also highlighted these concerns in a story earlier this week.
AAUW supported the new G.I. bill, which promises a full, four-year college education to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. AAUW believes that the dream of a higher education should be made a reality for all Americans and especially supports programs that increase access to college. Find out how your members of Congress voted on this legislation with the new AAUW Congressional Voting Record for the 110th Congress, which will be released on Monday, September 15.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for Sept. 12, 2008.
Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) testified before the House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks Thursday and called on Congress to pass legislation to preserve and promote historic sites critical to the suffrage movement. The National Women’s Rights History Project Act (H.R. 3114/S.1816) would establish a woman’s history auto trail, expand the National Registry to include additional key historic sites, and “establish a partnership-based network to offer financial and technical assistance for interpretive and educational program development of national women’s rights history.” Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), the lead sponsor of the Senate version of the bill, testified to the Senate Energy and National Resources Subcommittee on National Parks in July.
ACTION: In a year when many women have made history, AAUW recognizes the importance of remembering how far we have come and honoring the women who have played an integral part in getting us here. AAUW is a strong supporter of the National Women’s History Museum, a nonpartisan, nonprofit educational institution dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and celebrating the diverse historic contributions of women and integrating this rich heritage fully into our nation's history. Urge your representative to cosponsor and support legislation to allow the NWHM to purchase federal land for a permanent museum near the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for Sept. 12, 2008.
In an effort to help improve the rates of completion, Robert Sowell, project director and vice president of the Ph.D Completion Project, suggests improving information about what it takes to pursue doctoral studies so students are not as overwhelmed when entering their respective programs, programs to help with the dissertation writing process, and increased access to family leave while in the program.
AAUW's 2007-09 Public Policy Program affirms our commitment to "a strong system of public education that promotes gender fairness, equity, and diversity...and advocates increased support for, and access to, higher education for women and other disadvantaged populations." By the year 2014, it is estimated that there will be 4 million new jobs where postsecondary education will most likely be necessary. In our increasingly global society, advanced education is becoming more of a necessity to allow the U.S., and its women and disadvantaged populations in particular, to remain competitive. For more information, read AAUW’s position paper on higher education.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for Sept. 12, 2008.
The Higher Education Price Index, colleges’ version of the Consumer Price Index, rose from 3.4 percent in FY07 to 3.6 percent for FY08, according to data complied by the Commonfund Institute, according to a story on Inside Higher Ed. The index, which measures the inflation rate faced by colleges, is compiled using eight different cost factors: faculty salaries, administrative salaries, clerical, service employees, fringe benefits, miscellaneous services, supplies and materials, and utilities. The Commonfund Institue recognizes that the HEPI would be higher if the timing of the calculations didn’t exclude the large increases in utilities costs over the last several months.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for Sept. 12, 2008.
Across the globe, millions of girls in impoverished nations yearn for an education, but every year they are thwarted and resigned to a life of poverty. The Education For All Act will make universal primary education a U.S. foreign policy priority by providing funding for schools, teachers and supplies in the poorest parts of the world - instead of the military weaponry that currently dominates our foreign aid.
The "Education for All Act" (S.1259 in the Senate or H.R.2092 in the House) makes achieving universal primary education a U.S. foreign policy priority. It will pave the way for increased funding for schools, teachers and supplies, particularly in areas of the world ravaged by poverty and conflict. Providing basic education to girls has life-changing effects. Educated girls and women have lower HIV infection rates and earn more money. These benefits reach families, communities and whole countries, helping to lift more people out of poverty.
ACTION: Contact your member of Congress and tell him or her to co-sponsor the Education for All Act today
- from an AlterNet e-Alert on Sept. 16, 2008
Although women constitute a majority of the population, their lives, achievements, and contributions are often underrepresented in museums in the U.S. Recognition of the achievements made by American women will promote a better understanding of our history and culture for all. The National Women's History Museum, a nonpartisan, nonprofit educational institution dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and celebrating the diverse historic contributions of women and integrating this rich heritage fully into our nation's history, needs congressional action to allow them to purchase federal land for a permanent museum near the National Mall in Washington, D.C. In this year of women breaking through historical barriers, urge your representative to support legislation to make this dream a reality.
In 1999, the President's Commission on the Celebration of Women in American History called for a women's history museum in Washington, D.C. and cited the efforts of the NWHM toward that goal. While several previous attempts have been made to this end, a permanent museum to celebrate women's role in history still does not exist in our nation's Capital. On July 17, 2008, Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Deborah Pryce (R-OH) introduced H.R. 6548 to allow the NWHM to purchase land across from the National Mall at fair market value for the purpose of building such a museum.
AAUW strongly supports H.R. 6548 and is a proud member of the NWHM Coalition, a group of national women's professional and service organizations committed to supporting the NWHM mission. In a year when many women have made history, we recognize the importance of remembering how far we have come and honoring the women who have played an integral part in getting us here.
Take Action! Urge your representative to cosponsor and support H.R. 6548 to give the National Women's History Museum a permanent home.
- from AAUW's Action Network for Sept. 12, 2008.
Where the Girls Are: The Facts About Gender Equity in Education (2008) presents a comprehensive look at girls’ educational achievement during the past 35 years, paying special attention to the relationship between girls’ and boys’ progress. Analyses of results from national standardized tests, such as the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and the SAT and ACT college entrance examinations, as well as other measures of educational achievement, provide an overall picture of trends in gender equity from elementary school to college and beyond.