Pioneer Press
Published November 10, 2004
By Kermit Pattison
"Echoing a report warning that Minnesota's system of higher education is in danger of slipping, Governor Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday proposed raising standards for college preparation, sharpening missions of public campuses and increasing the state investment in education."
This Pioneer Press article also reports recommendations made by the Citizens League in their report titled "Trouble on the Horizon".
"Our rankings are due to past investments and what we have now is not sustainable," said Rondi Erickson, co-chair of the study.
The report urged the state to exercise greater oversight by holding insitututions accountable to measureable outcomes and evaluate them with online report cards.
Pawlenty said more investment in higher education is needed in the wake of several years of budget crisis. He said his budget would give highest priority to areas with greatest payoff, such as investment in teaching and research at the University of Minnesota.
University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks said he hoped the coming budget discussions with the state would prove less divisive than those of recent years.
To read the full story visit:
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/living/education/10140408.htm