Post-secondary educational organizations in the United States facts for kids
Imagine a world where people keep learning even after high school! That's what "higher education" is all about – going to colleges, universities, or special schools to learn more. But who helps these schools and the people who work and study there? That's where special organizations come in!
These groups work together to make sure higher education is the best it can be. They help with everything from how colleges are run to making sure teachers have fair working conditions. They also do research to find new ways to help students learn and succeed. Think of them as helpful guides and supporters for the world of learning beyond high school.
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Organizations that Help Higher Education
Here are some of the main types of organizations that support colleges and universities:
Groups for Teachers and Staff
These organizations help the professors and other staff who work at colleges and universities. They make sure their voices are heard and their rights are protected.
American Association of University Professors
The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) was started in 1915. Its main goal is to protect the freedom of professors to teach and research without unfair interference. They also help make sure that professors have a say in how their universities are run.
American Federation of Teachers
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) began in 1916. It helps teachers and other school staff with their jobs, including their pay and working conditions. They also hold conferences to talk about how to make teaching better.
National Center for the Study of Collective Bargaining in Higher Education
This center, started in 1972, is a place where people can learn about and discuss "collective bargaining." This is when groups of workers, like teachers, talk with their employers about things like pay and benefits. The center offers conferences, workshops, and publications to share information.
National Education Association
The National Education Association (NEA) provides many resources for studying education. Their research center looks into topics like how colleges are managed and what's happening with teachers at community colleges. They also publish magazines and online articles for people interested in education.
Groups for Running Colleges
These organizations help the leaders and managers of colleges and universities make good decisions and run their schools smoothly.
Association of Community College Trustees
The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) helps the people who oversee community colleges. These are schools that offer two-year degrees or job training. ACCT represents over 6,500 trustees who guide more than 1,200 community colleges across the United States. They offer training and speak up for community colleges in Washington, D.C.
Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges
The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) helps the people who are on the governing boards of universities. These boards make big decisions about how universities are run. AGB helps these leaders work together and offers advice and training.
State Higher Education Executive Offices
The State Higher Education Executive Offices (SHEEO), created in 1954, helps states plan and manage their education systems. They work to make sure colleges and universities cooperate with state agencies and encourage studies to improve education. Their website offers news and resources, including links to national education data.
Groups for Legal Help
These organizations provide legal information and support for colleges and universities, helping them understand and follow the law.
Campus Legal Information Clearinghouse
The Campus Legal Information Clearinghouse (CLIC) is a website that helps colleges understand legal rules. It provides easy-to-understand information, like frequently asked questions and summaries of laws, to help schools follow federal regulations. They believe sharing this information helps everyone solve legal problems together.
National Association of College and University Attorneys
The National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) helps lawyers and leaders at colleges understand legal issues. Founded in the 1960s, this group aims to improve how legal advice is given to colleges and universities. They offer news, educational programs, and publications about legal topics in higher education.
Groups for Research and Policy
These organizations study important issues in higher education and suggest ways to improve policies and practices.
Center for the Study of Higher Education
This center, part of Penn State University, was one of the first research centers to study public policy for higher education. It focuses on teaching, student access, faculty, and how colleges are organized. Their goal is to research challenges and improve higher education policies.
Educational Policy Institute
The Educational Policy Institute (EPI) is a research group that studies educational opportunities. They work on policy analysis and program evaluation for schools from kindergarten through college and into the workforce. EPI provides free resources online and hosts conferences.
Institute for Higher Education Policy
The Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) is a non-profit group started in 1993. It focuses on making sure everyone has a chance to go to college and succeed. They do research and create programs to help leaders make good decisions about education policies. Their website has lots of free information about higher education.
The Center for Community College Policy
This center helps state leaders by doing research and sharing information about community colleges. They highlight the importance of these two-year schools and discuss the challenges they face. Their website offers publications and links to other resources.
The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education
This independent group, started in 1998, works to create policies that help Americans get good education and training after high school. They do research and share their findings with leaders and the public to improve education policies. Their website offers news, reports, and publications.
Policy Center on the First Year of College
Established in 1999, this center focuses on making the first year of college better for new students. They believe a good start is key to student success. They offer information on policies and a special project called "Foundations of Excellence" to help colleges improve the first-year experience.
The Pullias Center for Higher Education
The Pullias Center for Higher Education at the University of Southern California studies complex social, political, and economic issues in higher education. Their research helps improve urban higher education, strengthen school partnerships, and understand international education.
Groups for General Research
These organizations collect and provide data and research about education in general.
Higher Education Research Institute
This institute at the University of California studies many different topics in higher education. They offer research and publications online, along with summaries of their studies. They also share news about their ongoing and completed research.
National Center of Education Statistics
The National Center of Education Statistics (NCES) is part of the U.S. Department of Education. It provides facts and figures about education from kindergarten through college. Their website has data tools, surveys, and quick facts about education, making it a good resource for researchers.
Groups for Service and Support
These organizations provide services and speak up for different groups within higher education.
American Indian Higher Education Consortium
The American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) was formed in 1972. It represents tribal colleges, which are schools run by American Indian nations. One of AIHEC's big achievements was helping 29 tribal colleges get special "land-grant" status in 1994, which helps them get funding. AIHEC helps its member colleges and works to promote the Tribal College Movement. In 1989, they also started the American Indian College Fund to help American Indian students pay for college.
Education Commission of the States
Created in 1965, the Education Commission of the States helps states share information to improve public education. They offer many resources, including publications and news. They also work with other groups to focus on meeting the needs of students in their home states.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization
The United Nations has a division called UNESCO that focuses on education, science, and culture. UNESCO provides information on how to improve higher education around the world. They work to strengthen education systems, provide leadership, and help countries share knowledge to deal with global challenges. They offer resources like conference information, news, and online publications.
Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) was created in 1951. It helps state governments work together and provides data and policy analysis for educators and leaders in 15 states in the Western U.S.
See also
- Educational research
- Governance in higher education
- Higher education
