Florida continues to let its students down

From the Ledger.com's editorial baord

The politicians in Tallahassee are champing at the bit to "reform" higher education in Florida. More scientists and fewer anthropologists. A new online university. New medical, law and dental schools. The micromanagement keeps on happening.

All of which might be fine if the politicians in the Florida Legislature haven't been failing so miserably in their single-most-important responsibility toward higher education: funding it adequately.

Recent reports from the National Science Board and the Center for the Study of Education Policy, at Illinois State University, tell the story. Florida universities are among those nationally that have seen a steady erosion in state funding over the past several years.

"Over the past five years, state support for higher education has declined 17.5 percent," reports The Associated Press. "As the state proportion of funding has declined, universities have relied more on tuition, now nearly 50 percent of their operating budget."

ENROLLMENT RISES, FUNDS STAGNATE

The AP report added: "Overall state funding appropriations in Florida are about the same as they were 10 years ago, after having risen leading up to 2007-2008. Meanwhile, enrollment has increased by more than 24 percent."

More students, less state funding. That's hardly a prescription for higher-education reform.

Rather, it is an indictment of the Legislature's failure to invest in Florida's intellectual infrastructure

Gov. Rick Scott is promising an additional $1 billion for public schools next year, and that will barely compensate for an increase in students and other costs. No investment in colleges and universities — even at that feeble level — seems in the offing. This despite the fact Scott himself says it is crucial that Florida "have the best educated workforce with the necessary skills to be competitive in our 21st century global economy."

The Florida Legislature has been marching backward when it comes to investing in the very institutions that are needed to help create and sustain the educated, skilled workforce Scott so covets.

Enough micromanaging, lawmakers. Do your jobs and fund Florida public higher education responsibly.

http://www.theledger.com/article/20120207/EDIT01/120209505/1036/edit03?p=2&tc=pg