May 12, 2015
Rep. Haddad is pleased House Bill 6117, An Act Concerning The Use of Digital Open-Source Textbooks in Higher Education passed unanimously out of the state House of Representatives.
Rep. Haddad introduced the bill, which would establish a pilot program on the use of open-source textbooks at the University of Connecticut in collaboration with the Board of Regents of Higher Education. Open-source textbooks are licensed college-level textbooks made freely available on the Internet to students, faculty, and the public.
“Between 2003 and 2013, textbook prices have increased by 82 percent. College students spend approximately $1,200 a year on textbooks alone. I have heard from a number of students who have had to forgo purchasing a textbook because they were unable to afford the cost out-of-pocket, hindering their education in the process,” Rep. Haddad said.
“We must strive to find creative solutions to ensure that more students can afford to learn and that is why I introduced HB 6117. This legislation will encourage more universities and professors to utilize open-source textbooks, resulting in serious cost-savings for students. There is evidence that students could save 90 percent of their costs if open-source textbooks were assigned instead of traditional textbooks,” he added.
Change In The Price Of New Textbooks, Since 2002
Source: Bureau Of Labor Statistics
Credit: Quoctrung Bui/NPR
The pilot program would include seminars and workshops on awareness and implementation of open-source textbooks for college faculty and staff. No later than July 1, 2016 the Board of Regents for Higher Education and the president of the University of Connecticut shall report the results of the pilot program to the General Assembly including the cost savings for students using open-source textbooks, and identification of any barriers to the effective use of open-source textbooks.
The CT Post’s Ken Dixon reported on the bill’s passage. You can read his article here.