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.
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