The Commissioner's Corner

Merging Minds

By Robert B. Stein

The proposal to merge the departments of K-12 and higher education considered by the legislature this session proves that some Missouri leaders believe a more integrated approach will result in Missouri doing better in student success from pre-school through college (P-20).

The fact that the proposal failed to pass need not halt progress on fulfilling this goal.

Making P-20 education in Missouri a reality requires a commitment to collaboration and coordination at every level and department of government. I believe that collaborative efforts throughout state government can be expanded that will lead to positive changes for Missouri students.

In a meeting with Governor Nixon this month, I recommended the following list of ideas for accomplishing a more effective P-20 education system in Missouri without requiring a constitutional amendment to merge DESE and MDHE or to design a wholesale overhaul of the existing system:

• Develop a single strategic plan that links preschool, K-12, higher education, and workforce development
• Set joint goals and establish agreed upon measures to accomplish the following:
  • Redesign of the senior year of high school
  • Increase Missouri’s college-going and completion rates
    • Enrollment
      • DESE data – 66% enroll
      • NCHEMS data – 57% enroll (state rank 38th)
  • Completions associate degree or higher
    • 37% age 25-34 (state rank 23rd)
    • 35% age 25-64 (state rank 35th)
  • Reduce the percentage of new high school graduates requiring remediation
    • 37% of recent graduates require remediation
  • Continue integration of a K-12, postsecondary education and workforce database
  • Increase the number of highly qualified teachers recruited and retained
  • Increase the success of student transfers across Missouri colleges and universities
    • 40% two- to four-year success rate of baccalaureate completion
  • Develop an employer feedback system to promote:
    • Identification of skill sets and academic programs needed in a new economy
    • Preparation of workers for demands of job
    • Professional development and retraining needed for current workforce
  • Increase the number of on-time FAFSA filers
    • 41% of Access Missouri-eligible freshmen file by April 1st
• Become engaged with Win-Win (Lumina supported initiative for degree completion)
• Join Complete College America Alliance – 21 states networking best practices

I believe it’s realistic to expect government and education leaders to take these steps if they are serious about creating a continuum of education that leads to productive employment and economic growth for the state.

The Challenges Ahead

by Robert B. Stein

With just six weeks remaining in my position as Commissioner of Higher Education, I’ve been doing some soul-searching about what the future holds for higher education in Missouri.

The legislative session which just ended passed some significant changes to state financial aid programs, but did not pass SJRs 44 and 45, which would have merged the departments of elementary and secondary education and higher education. The proposal may surface again in the coming months and years. In the meantime, however, education leaders and elected officials have several pressing issues requiring attention, including viable opportunities to promote a P-20 agenda without a formal merger.

While there are many unknowns about the future of Missouri’s higher education structure and leadership, my successor will face critical issues as the CBHE’s leader in working with higher education institutions and policymakers.

In the time that remains, I have generated the following list of potential higher education agendas and will encourage engaged discussion and prioritization of work for the immediate and long-term future.

• Initiate a discussion on the number of governing boards – realignment of institutions/boards for greater efficiency
• Begin a new initiative on a statewide review of existing programs to identify unnecessary duplication and ensure quality standards
• Increase outreach and financial literacy initiatives
• Engage in discussion with institutions about feasibility of flat tuition in advance of tuition decisions for the 2011-12 academic year
• Develop a P-20 agenda with DESE and DED
• Develop plan for the future of the guaranty agency
• Revisit institution selectivity categories and definitions
• Establish a public policy on distance learning and on-line programs
• Develop a plan to address student debt load (Four-year public graduates average student loan debt - $18,394; state rank – 28th)
• Reintroduce performance funding in the state’s budget for higher education
• Continue to develop a public agenda for all higher education
• Identify future legislative initiatives associated with state student financial aid programs and proprietary school certification
• Promote greater collaboration among institutions and across sectors
• Work toward resolution of institutional conflicts – Southeast region; public/private; two-year/four-year

In working with constituents, my successor will be challenged to address these and other as yet unforeseen issues to improve higher education efficiency and performance. I invite reader insights on any of these topics. It is clear that we must continue to be diligent.

In my next blog, I will provide additional views on a P-20 agenda for the immediate future.