The Department of Education hosted a hearing on March 7, 2003 to gather ideas from the higher education community and general public for the upcoming reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. The hearing consisted of two sessions. The morning session gave the Department the opportunity to hear from two expert panels on the subjects of access, retention, quality and accountability. The afternoon session allowed members of the public to testify about their suggestions for reauthorization.

The Department was represented by Sally L. Stroup, Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education, Jeffrey R. Andrade, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning, and Innovation, and Wilbert Bryant, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs.

This site for the reauthorization hearing is organized by panels. Testimony by panel members is presented, followed by the question and answer session for that panel.