Preparing Americans to compete in a global economy is one of our most urgent challenges of the 21st century. Over the next eight years, occupations that require a postsecondary degree or credential will account for nearly half of all new jobs and one-third of total job openings. To meet the rising demand, higher education must be accessible and affordable for students of all ages. It must ensure rigorous and relevant coursework that prepares students for success in the workforce and promotes life-long learning opportunities that lead to career advancement.

Governors have taken a lead in recognizing the fundamental state responsibility for a seamless progression from preschool through lifelong learning opportunities, a continuum from kindergarten through college. NGA policy calls on Congress to simplify student financial assistance forms, limit increased student costs, improve access to distance-education, address the dramatic increase in enrollments, strengthen state and federal programs to improve student preparation for postsecondary education, and clarify the limited role of the federal government in holding public colleges and universities accountable for their performance.

In addition, Governors strongly support the continued federal funding for the Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act. Governors believe this program is a vital component of our community and technical college programs to prepare students for work in the 21st century economies.

Additional Information on Maintenance of Effort Mandate:

• Governors Urge Education Secretary to Use Maintenance of Effort Waiver for States
  October 30, 2008 letter from the nation's governors to U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings formally requesting a waiver of the federal “Maintenance of Effort” (MOE) mandate in the Higher Education Opportunity Act (P.L. 110-315) for all states in the coming fiscal year or the next two fiscal years for states with biennial budgets.

• Governors Send Letter Urging Removal of Maintenance of Effort Mandate in Conference
  March 10, 2008 letter from 46 of the nation's governors to members on the House Committee on Education and Labor urging them to remove the "Maintenance of Effort" mandate in the College Opportunity and Affordability Act (H.R. 4137) in conference.

• NGA Letter Urging Removal of Maintenance of Effort Mandate in Conference
  February 26, 2008 letter from 26 of the nation's governors to Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Kennedy and Ranking Member Enzi urging them to remove the "Maintenance of Effort" mandate in the College Opportunity and Affordability Act (H.R. 4137) in conference.

• NGA-SHEEO-NCSL Letter Opposing House Maintenance of Effort Mandate
  January 15, 2008 joint letter issued by the National Governors Association, State Higher Education Executive Officers, and the National Conference of State Legislatures to Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Kennedy and Ranking Member Enzi; and to House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Miller and Ranking Member McKeon opposing the "Maintenance of Effort" mandate in the College Opportunity and Affordability Act (H.R. 4137).

• NGA Paper on Unintended Consequences of the Maintenance of Effort Mandate
  January 2008 analysis paper prepared by the National Governors Association, titled “Higher Education, Mandates and Unintended Consequences: An Analysis of the MOE Mandate in HR 4137.”

• NGA Letter to Congress Opposing Maintenance of Effort in Higher Education
  December 10, 2007 letter to Speaker Pelosi and House Minority Leader Boehner; and to House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Miller and Ranking Member McKeon opposing a "Maintenance of Effort" mandate and expressing concern with the definition of private educational loans in the College Opportunity and Affordability Act (H.R. 4137).

• NGA Memo to Congressional Staff Opposing Maintenance of Effort in Higher Education
  December 11, 2007 memo to congressional staff opposing a "Maintenance of Effort" mandate and expressing concern with the definition of private educational loans in the College Opportunity and Affordability Act (H.R. 4137).