FACTC Blog

The FACTC Blog provides faculty a forum for diverse views on instructional issues related to community and technical colleges in Washington state. For information about FACTC (factc.org), contact Phil Venditti, Clover Park Community College, at phil.venditti@cptc.edu. For information about the FACTC Blog, contact Jennifer Wu, North Seattle Community College at jwu@sccd.ctc.edu. We welcome your feedback and ideas.

Apr 10, 2007

Affordable Textbooks for College Students? - Bills Pending in the State Legislature

Students across the nation’s campuses have been struggling with the escalating costs of textbooks. A congressional Advisory Committee has opened an investigation. According to a recent study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, textbook prices have nearly tripled over the past 20 years, increasing at twice the rate of general inflation. Cost increases have been mainly driven by publishers' practices of bundling textbooks with supplemental materials such as Web sites, CD-ROMs, and tutorials. More frequent revisions of textbooks also limit students' opportunity to purchase or resell used textbooks. The study states that the high prices are more burdensome on students attending community and technical colleges, where textbook costs represent about 72 percent of overall tuition and fees.

A growing number of states have passed bills or explored alternatives to controlling textbook costs. The newly enacted Washington State law requires the 4-year public institutions to adopt rules for reducing students' costs of course materials. Two current follow-up bills would include the community and technical colleges. The bills have passed the state House with very strong support and are expected to sail through the Senate.

House Bill 1224 would require community and technical college faculty and staff to consider the least costly practices in assigning course materials without sacrificing the quality of educational content. It would also require campus bookstores to disclose costs, provide unbundling options, and promote buy-back programs. The faculty member who teaches the course will be the sole person to determine whether educational content is comparable. House Bill 2300 would require publishers to disclose retail prices and the extent of revisions, making it easier for faculty to make decisions about course materials.

How effective will the new legislation be in controlling the rising costs of college textbooks? How will it impact the processes and decisions of faculty members in selecting course materials? How well can faculty members actually enforce the intent of the law? The impact remains to be seen. But if Congressional interest and legislative actions eventually lead to more affordable college textbooks to benefit students- our primary stakeholders, it will be a good thing!

Share your thought with us or contact the bill sponsors or your legislators.



Jennifer Wu
North Seattle Community College

Visit my bookmarks on textbook bills and reports at
http://del.icio.us/jwudel/textbooks