This year, I have the honor of serving as chair of the Joint Committee on Education. This committee is made up of 14 lawmakers, seven from the Senate and seven from the House.
The Joint Committee on Education reviews the progress of education in Missouri’s public schools and higher education institutions, as well as coordinating information in order to propose legislative action to the General Assembly. With the passage of House Bill 1731, the joint committee is required to develop a comprehensive funding formula model for the Show-Me State’s institutions of higher education by Dec. 31, 2013.
The committee met last week during the annual veto session in Jefferson City to work on strategy to help develop on potential funding models. To that end, we will be hosting a series of hearings across the state to gather information. The first hearing will take place at North Central Missouri College in Trenton on Sept. 25. Two more hearings are scheduled, one at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg on Oct. 23, and then in Rolla at the Missouri University of Science and Technology on Nov. 14.
These hearings will provide the committee information from individuals directly affected by these potential funding models. Witnesses testifying before the committee are asked to address these five items:
· What are the essential functions of higher education?
· What are the shared goals of the institutions? What are their unique goals?
· Are the missions of the institutions consistent with their missions as outlined in statute? If not, how do they differ?
· How can higher education institutions most effectively contribute to Missouri’s educational and economic policy goals?
· What are the indicators that higher education institutions are serving Missouri well?
One area the committee might focus on would be completion of degree programs as opposed to number of students enrolled. Other states have found that enrollment numbers are important, but it is more important that students reach the end goal of a obtaining a degree to become productive members of the work force.
During these upcoming committee hearings, my colleagues and I will also hear much discussion on performance-based funding. There are 12 other states in a similar process of developing performance-based funding. Obviously, this is not a new concept. Much like many of the topics addressed by this committee, this funding mechanism is cyclical and demands much debate.
These topics are pertinent and timely. It will take thoughtful consideration to address these questions and to put answers to use in order to best serve the interests of students, educators and the institutions.
As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or 573-751-2272, or by fax at 573-526-7381.
Senator David Pearce serves Bates, Cass, Johnson and Vernon counties in the 31st State Senatorial District.
The Joint Committee on Education reviews the progress of education in Missouri’s public schools and higher education institutions, as well as coordinating information in order to propose legislative action to the General Assembly. With the passage of House Bill 1731, the joint committee is required to develop a comprehensive funding formula model for the Show-Me State’s institutions of higher education by Dec. 31, 2013.
The committee met last week during the annual veto session in Jefferson City to work on strategy to help develop on potential funding models. To that end, we will be hosting a series of hearings across the state to gather information. The first hearing will take place at North Central Missouri College in Trenton on Sept. 25. Two more hearings are scheduled, one at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg on Oct. 23, and then in Rolla at the Missouri University of Science and Technology on Nov. 14.
These hearings will provide the committee information from individuals directly affected by these potential funding models. Witnesses testifying before the committee are asked to address these five items:
· What are the essential functions of higher education?
· What are the shared goals of the institutions? What are their unique goals?
· Are the missions of the institutions consistent with their missions as outlined in statute? If not, how do they differ?
· How can higher education institutions most effectively contribute to Missouri’s educational and economic policy goals?
· What are the indicators that higher education institutions are serving Missouri well?
One area the committee might focus on would be completion of degree programs as opposed to number of students enrolled. Other states have found that enrollment numbers are important, but it is more important that students reach the end goal of a obtaining a degree to become productive members of the work force.
During these upcoming committee hearings, my colleagues and I will also hear much discussion on performance-based funding. There are 12 other states in a similar process of developing performance-based funding. Obviously, this is not a new concept. Much like many of the topics addressed by this committee, this funding mechanism is cyclical and demands much debate.
These topics are pertinent and timely. It will take thoughtful consideration to address these questions and to put answers to use in order to best serve the interests of students, educators and the institutions.
As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or 573-751-2272, or by fax at 573-526-7381.
Senator David Pearce serves Bates, Cass, Johnson and Vernon counties in the 31st State Senatorial District.
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