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News, analysis and opinion on reforms being offered to improve schools, whether the ideas originate in Washington, Austin or Dallas. The online discussion will take education policy debates seriously, while it connects them to students from grade school through college. We welcome and read all letters from readers. Letters are selected for publication based on their clarity and brevity. They also are chosen to represent a diverse set of views on as many issues as possible. March 2010
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I noticed in today's paper that Bill White was down in the Rio Grande Valley talking about Rick Perry's failures. Among other things, the Democratic gubernatorial hopeful criticized Gov. Perry for agreeing to deregulate tuition policies at state universities. In other words, White doesn't think universities should be able to set their own rates. (Update: Bill White's spokesperson has responded since this post went up. See her reply in comments box.) I wish they didn't have to set their own rates, that's for sure. I wish the Legislature would make good on its responsibility and adequately fund our colleges. But that hasn't happened and it is not going to happen, plain and simple. That's why the Legislature, back in 2003, broke with tradition and gave universities the right to set their rates. Tuition shot up for a few years, but then stabilized after the public pushed back. Some schools even started granting free admission to families up to a certain income level. That's kind of where we are now. And I understand the politics here: White thinks he can tap into public anger about tuition. But if he's going to do that, what is his plan for making sure the Legislature adequately funds UT, A&M, etc.? If he doesn't have one, then what are schools to do? You can look for his answer to tuition rates on our Voter Guide here. He doesn't really give a clear answer about making up for the funding difference. Comments |
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Mr McK-
Thanks for highlighting this issue. Many Texas families fall on the cusp of qualifying for grants. I have seen many families be *penalized* for doing the right thing and SAVING money. Because one single mother had $20K in her account, she *made* her child ineligible for some grants or loans--forget the fact she needs to be a head of household and have some money in case bad things happen!
The tuition and fees went way up a few years back. To go to A&M now, you need to fund about $12-$16 K a year. Absurd, in a state that could CHOOSE to fund it.
However, as long as people want *lower* taxes, this is what you get. All of us can help pay a little, or the middle class get squeezed out of a chance at a quality university.
We keep telling our students that they can go to college, but NOBODY seems to tell the parents how much *college* really costs! My students are trukly shocked to find out as 10th graders that they have abotu 1 year to figure out how to pay for it, get it in scholarships or come up with an alternative.
Also---
If you could, or have you already discussed, the lessoning of funding from the state on local districts--as a percentage of their overall budgets? I believe Texas paid for about 60-70% of DISD's budget when I was in school (1970's), but now, I think we only get about 40% from Austin.
(Editor's Note: This comment comes from Katy Bacon, Bill White's spokesperson:)
Bill has not said that universities should have no ability to set rates. He believes the state has to get back in the game. How? With money from where? There are a dozen suggestions, and Bill and the team are working on the most viable ones.
What he said is undeniable; the cost of tuition has risen 82% under Gov. Perry.
"The price of education has gone up so fast under Gov. Perry," he said to three community college students in Weslaco. "That's just not right. We should be encouraging people to go to school, not making it financially difficult."
This is going to be a long conversation over the coming months. I just want to make sure you know that when you went to "In other words" it was stretching to something that Bill does not believe and has not said.