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Teaching American History through Film
May 26, 2026 by Dr. Bryan Paul
A symbiotic relationship exists between the stories a nation tells and its civic identity. Popular culture is never neutral;…
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Latest
A Broadside for the Nation
April 21, 2026
In this Broadside for the Nation, we explain in detail why American higher education must restore this foundational requirement for college graduates to know the American story, what such a course might include, and, crucially, how to make this vision a reality.
Civic Education
Educating for a More Perfect Union
The American Council of Trustees and Alumni and the Museum of the American Revolution celebrated our nation’s 250th anniversary year with an evening panel discussion on how to reinvigorate history and civics education in American college and university classrooms and across the public history sector.
PROMOTING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
UPenn ‘America 250’ courses largely ignore America’s founding, conservative analysts say
Campus Reform | May 28, 2026 by Brendan McDonald
The University of Pennsylvania’s “America 250” courses celebrating the country’s semiquincentennial have little to do with America, conservative analysts say. The Penn Libraries website highlights 15 courses in spring 2026 with “America 250 Themes” that students can take leading up to July 4. However, few of those courses address foundational themes in American history. For example, none […]
UPenn ‘America 250’ courses largely ignore America’s founding, conservative analysts say
A Broadside for the Nation
ACTA’s A Broadside for the Nation: Preparing College Students for Informed Citizenship convenes 24 historians and education leaders who argue that America’s 250th anniversary demands a renewal of civic education. The report urges colleges to require every student to complete a semester-long course on the American story.
Download PDFDEFENDING ACADEMIC FREEDOm
University of Tennessee–Knoxville Report Card
May 26, 2026
ACTA’s Campus Freedom Initiative™ (CFI) has evaluated universities in several states against our Gold Standard for Freedom of Expression™, a 20-point action plan for reestablishing higher education’s commitment to excellence and open inquiry. Below we present the University of Tennessee–Knoxville Gold Standard evaluation. University of Tennessee–Knoxville receives credit for twelve out of twenty Gold Standard measures. Our research highlights University of Tennessee–Knoxville strengths in protecting free expression and identifies areas it must work on to improve the student experience. Explore the full University of Tennessee–Knoxville Gold Standard evaluation to learn more.
University of Tennessee–Knoxville Report CardUniversity of Arkansas–Fayetteville Report Card
May 26, 2026
ACTA’s Campus Freedom Initiative™ (CFI) has evaluated universities in several states against our Gold Standard for Freedom of Expression™,…
ACTA in the NewsGrade Inflation
Getting an A at Harvard will be tougher starting in 2027
The College Fix | May 21, 2026 by Micaiah Bilger
Two thirds of faculty vote to approve cap on A grades for undergrads Harvard University faculty gave an emphatic…
ACTA Gold Standard for Freedom of Expression
ACTA now provides a blueprint to help higher education regain and live by this core principle. The ACTA Gold Standard for Freedom of Expression™ provides clear guidance for institutions to create a culture of free thought on their campuses.
Download PDFENSURING ACCOUNTABILITY
How the Trump Admin Could Speed Up a Controversial New Accreditor
The Assembly | May 28, 2026 by Dylan Halper
The Trump administration’s proposed revamp of college accreditation rules could speed up the UNC System’s effort to launch a new accreditor for public universities. Last week, the U.S. Department of Education’s Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization committee agreed to an extensive set of proposed new regulations that would ease the process for accreditors to enter the market and […]
How the Trump Admin Could Speed Up a Controversial New AccreditorACTA in the NewsPresidential Search
MSU President Guskiewicz leaving for another university
May 28, 2026 by Sarah Atwood, Daniel Howes, Nolan Finley and Beth LeBlanc
Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz is joining the ranks of other short-lived Michigan university presidencies. Guskiewicz was selected…
MSU’s new loyalty rules, special meeting raise speech concerns among experts
The Detroit News | May 19, 2026 by Sarah Atwood
A measure passed late Sunday by the Michigan State University board limiting when and how statewide elected trustees can dissent after…
Governance for a New Era
Governance for a New Era is a blueprint for higher education governance. Signatories to the statement, a diverse group of 22 distinguished national leaders dedicated to ensuring America’s colleges and universities shed 20th century thinking and successfully meet 21st century challenges.
Download PDFIN THE
NEWS
ACTA in the NewsCivic Education
UPenn ‘America 250’ courses largely ignore America’s founding, conservative analysts say
Campus Reform | May 28, 2026 by Brendan McDonald
The University of Pennsylvania’s “America 250” courses celebrating the country’s semiquincentennial have little to do with America, conservative analysts say. The Penn Libraries website highlights 15 courses in spring 2026 with “America 250 Themes” that students can take leading up to J…
ACTA in the NewsPresidential Search
MSU President Guskiewicz leaving for another university
May 28, 2026 by Sarah Atwood, Daniel Howes, Nolan Finley and Beth LeBlanc
Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz is joining the ranks of other short-lived Michigan university presidencies. Guskiewicz was selected as the 16th president of Clemson University at a Wednesday board meeting. Clemson has been without a president since James Clements resigned in …
ACTA in the NewsCore Curriculum
Baylor University among nation’s best for core education, study finds
Chron. | May 21, 2026 by Molly Wilhelm
As many in Texas and nationwide warn of the ‘death’ of academic freedom, Baylor University appears to have avoided that fate—at least according to this new study. This month, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA)—a higher-education advocacy nonprofit—gave Baylor Universit…
HOW ACTA IS SUCCEEDING
370
institutions have been counseled by ACTA on matters of cost effectiveness, financial governance, and institutional spending. See ACTA’s one-of-a-kind higher education financial analysis tool: HowCollegesSpendMoney.com.
146
institutions and systems representing nearly four million students, encouraged by ACTA, reaffirmed their commitment to free speech on campus by adopting the Chicago Principles on Freedom of Expression or a policy of institutional neutrality.
256
institutions have improved their core curriculum requirements based on ACTA’s annual What Will They Learn?® initiative. Visit WhatWillTheyLearn.com
26,500+
students from 140 institutions have engaged in 660 civil discourse debates, dialogues, and workshops through ACTA’s college debates program partnership with Braver Angels and Bridge USA.
795
news outlets in 2025 covered ACTA’s nationwide impact on academic excellence, academic freedom, and accountability in higher education.
275
million dollars in gifts to higher education have been guided through ACTA’s Fund for Academic Renewal. Visit AcademicRenewal.org.
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Launched in 1995, we are the only organization that works with alumni, donors, trustees, and education leaders across the United States to support liberal arts education, uphold high academic standards, safeguard the free exchange of ideas on campus, and ensure that the next generation receives an intellectually rich, high-quality college education at an affordable price.
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