For Immediate Release

Contact: Stacy Skelly

Ph: 202-220-4556

College Textbook Publishers Respond to College Board’s 2007 Pricing Report

College Tuition Still on the Rise

Publishers work with faculties to lower student spending on learning materials,

help more students succeed

October 22, 2007, Washington, D.C.:Association of American Publishers President and Chief Executive Officer, Patricia Schroeder today issued the following statement regarding the College Board’s 2007 Trends in College Pricing report. According to the report, college costs continue to rise and federal student aid has shown slower growth when adjusted for inflation, while textbooks, as a percentage of total college costs, have remained steady at about 5 percent.

“The College Board's report underscores how important it is to plan for the high cost of obtaining a higher education today. College tuition and fees,which are publicly and privately subsidized, increased at a rate of 6.6 percent at our public four-year schools in 2007-2008. Still, earning a college degree is one of the most powerful means individuals have for improving their professional, personal and social prospects throughout their lifetime.  That is why textbook publishers have taken steps to help alleviate the overall cost burden on students by providing lower-cost options for textbooks, such as digital books that are half the cost of print editions, customized editions, loose-leaf editions,abbreviated texts and online books by the chapter.

“Publishers have also harnessed the power of digital delivery to integrate technology into text content that makes it more accessible for diverse learning styles and supports student learning.They are committed to educational excellence for all students and continue to invest in new ways to economically deliver our products and services.

"Publishers are working with faculty and other stakeholders to make certain students get the most out of their textbook dollars while, at the same time, helping them succeed in their course work with technologies such as three-dimensional simulations, automated practice quizzes, 24-hour online study centers, interactive tutorials and online graded homework. An overwhelming majority -- 86 percent -- of instructors require or recommend these kinds of publisher-produced supplemental learning materials to better ensure their students succeed in their courses and college careers,” Schroeder said.

The Association of American Publishers (AAP) and its member publishers understand college students’ concerns about the cost of college, including textbook costs – and publishers have responded to these concerns by increasing both the number of lower-cost options available to faculty and students and the kinds of materials available, such as custom textbooks and course materials and e-books. More facts are available at www.textbookfacts.org.

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