Page images
PDF
EPUB

Recommendations

CHAPTER 5. GOVERNANCE

The provision for adequate governing authority is one of the most significant prerequisites leading to a comprehensive and efficient system of postsecondary education. Diffused and overlapping administrative responsibilities and the lack of overall planning capabilities in the current structure are serious impediments to achieving goals outlined in Chapter 3. An appropriate response to the shortcomings in the present organization of government is vital to the well-being of postsecondary education in Kansas.

The Master Planning Commission has reviewed with much care the various types of governing agencies operating in other states. The oldest type is the single board for governing all public institutions of postsecondary education in a state. With the increasing emphasis on accountability, several states have been attracted to centralized responsibility and to the single board. "In practice, researchers on planning and coordination have found that the single board is no more effective in coordination, conserving resources, controlling programs, or in other operations than is the coordinating board.""1

Coordinating boards, which provide for coordination by a superboard and allow existing governing boards to continue to function, have become popular in recent years. In large measure their popularity stems from the relative ease with which they can be established because usually no existing agency is eliminated. The success of coordinating boards has varied a great deal, however, because many have found the "in-between role" i.e. between institutions, groups of institutions and the state a difficult one to mold into a successful formula for effective government.

From the MPC's point of view, both types of agencies possess inherent weaknesses which cause them to be less than adequate. Both lack objective planning and effective communication relative to state priorities with the legislature and executive branch of state government. Both are weak in not providing a system of check and balance in planning and management. Both have been unable to measure educational output for a number of reasons: a "closed" system of planning and management, an absence of check and balance and a lack of a strong channel to communicate the public interest in educational output.

11

Lyman A. Glenny and George B. Weathersby, Statewide Planning for Postsecondary Education: Issues and Design. WICHE, 1971, p.23.

Accordingly, the Commission has chosen not to follow either of these two general types of governing agencies in making its recommendation. Rather, its recommendation is conditioned by philosophical considerations outlined in Chapter 3: independent long-range planning, effective management of the state interest, institutional independence within the state system, built-in provisions for "check and balance" and clear and effective channels for expression of the public interest.

RECOMMENDATION NO. 8: It is recommended that a permanent and independent state planning agency be created, appointed by the legislature, charged with the continuing responsibility of research and planning for a comprehensive system of postsecondary education. This agency to be known as the "State Planning Commission for Postsecondary Education", or "State Commission", also shall be designated under Section 1202 of the federal Education Amendments of 1972, as the postsecondary education commission.12 Also after June 30, 1973, the State Commission should be assigned sole responsibility for the administration of all aspects of postsecondary education including state plans required under Section 105, 603, 704 and Titles VI and VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965.13

RECOMMENDATION NO. 9: It is recommended that a State Management Agency be created, appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, charged with the management of the state interest in a comprehensive system of postsecondary education. This agency also shall be designated under Part B, Section 1055 of the federal Education Amendments of 1972, as the state agency responsible for administration of Occupational Educational Programs.

14

RECOMMENDATION NO. 10: It is recommended that Fort Hays Kansas State College, Kansas State College of Pittsburg, Kansas State Teachers College, Kansas State University, University of Kansas and Wichita State University each be governed by a board of trustees, appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. All other public postsecondary institutions should be governed by locally elected boards. Institutional boards should

12 U.S., Congress, Senate, Education Amendments of 1972, 92d Congress, 2d Sess., 1972, Title X. Part L, Sec. 1202 (a).

13 It is the MPC's understanding that the intent of the federal Education Amendments of 1972 is to consolidate all postsecondary planning at the state level under the jurisdiction of the "1202" State Commission. It is further understood that the separate state plans and agencies previously required in federal funding as set forth in such acts as The Higher Education Act of 1965 and The Higher Education Facilities Act of 1963 would therefore be eliminated. Guidelines for the implementation of the federal Education Amendments of 1972 are expected in early 1973.

14 U.S., Congress, Senate, Education Amendments of 1972, 92d Congress, 2d Sess., 1972, Title X, Part B, Sec. 1055 (a).

contract with elementary and secondary boards to enable occupational facilities and staff to be utilized by elementary and secondary students who could benefit from such training and who otherwise would not have such training opportunities available to them.

RECOMMENDATION

NO. 11: It is

recommended that all appointments to boards and commissions (i.e., those specified in Recommendations 8, 9, and 10) be for staggered terms, bipartisan and geographically representative.

The respective roles of these recommended entities are described in Chapter 6.

Recommendations

CHAPTER 6. ROLE OF PLANNING
AND MANAGEMENT AGENCIES

STATE COMMISSION

The most important assignment of the State Commission would be the annual development of a comprehensive plan to serve the many and diverse needs for postsecondary education. The plan would include the identification of needs, statement of goals and objectives, a broad ordering of priorities, an overall estimate of costs and strategies for allocating resources.

In developing such plans, the State Commission should solicit information, data and comment from the broad spectrum of those concerned with the progress and vitality of postsecondary education. It is most important that the State Management Agency provide a continuing stream of analysis on the implementation and effectiveness of past plans, as well as an evaluation of the current posture of postsecondary education. Each individual institution, both public and private, also should supply an analysis of the implementation of its role, including its effectiveness and any problem encountered. The State Board of Education should provide information relative to coordination procedures, and any problems therein, with elementary and secondary schools.

Also, in its planning activities, the State Commission should develop a state-wide plan for the expansion and improvement of postsecondary education programs in community colleges. The term "community college" is defined in terms of the federal Education Amendments of 1972 to mean "any junior college, postsecondary vocational school, technical institute, or any other institution (which may include a four-year institution of higher education or a branch thereof)" which (a) is legally authorized to offer postsecondary education; (b) admits high school graduates or equivalent; (c) provides a two-year program leading to an associate degree, or acceptable for credit towards bachelor's degrees, and also provides programs of postsecondary vocational, technical, occupational and specialized education; (d) is public or non-profit; and (e) is accredited.

The State Commission should establish an Advisory Council on Community Colleges to assist and make recommendations to the State Commission. The Advisory Council should be composed of (a) a substantial number of persons with responsibility for

operation of community colleges, (b) representatives of state agencies having responsibility for, or interest in, postsecondary education, and (c) the general public.

-

The State Commission should direct particular attention to planning for occupational education. Such planning should include (a) an assessment of existing capabilities and facilities for postsecondary occupational education in relation to existing institutions community junior colleges and private junior colleges, area vocational-technical schools, accredited proprietary schools, and public and private colleges and universities, (b) development of a long-range strategy for giving occupational education appropriate, emphasis in elementary and secondary schools (c) development of procedures to insure continuous planning and evaluation including the regular collection of data. 15

Also, in planning activities for vocational education, the State Commission should involve the active participation of the State Management Agency; the State Board of Education; representatives of all types of institutions capable of engaging in postsecondary occupational education; representatives of nonprofit elementary and secondary schools; the Kansas Department of Labor; the Kansas Economic Development Commission; persons involved in occupational education for the disadvantaged; handicapped and minority groups; and representatives of business, industry, organized labor, agriculture and the general public. 16, 17

The State Commission should transmit its recommended plan to the Legislature for consideration and action. At the same time, the recommended plan should be provided to the Governor, the State Management Agency, the State Board of Education and to the general public. Following the process of Legislative hearing and of consideration by the Legislature and Governor, the recommended plan, with any changes would become the adopted plan for funding and operation.

Planning should be a continuing process for the State Commission. On or before July 1, of each year, commencing July 1, 1973 the State Commission would submit to the Governor and the

15 U.S., Congress, Senate, Education Amendments of 1972, 92d Congress, 2d Sess., 1972, Title X. Part B, Sec. 1056 (b) (1).

16 U.S., Congress, Senate, Education Amendments of 1972, 92d Congress, 2d Sess., 1972, Title X, Part B, Sec. 1055 (b) (2).

17 The definition of the role of the State Commission relative to The State Vocational Advisory Council is expected to be clarified by the guidelines for implementation of the federal Education Amendments of 1972. These guidelines are expected in early 1973.

« PreviousContinue »