Texas Government Lobby News: Governor Perry Promotes Competency-Based Learning and Technology for Higher Education
The following is a digest of an article that originally appeared on the Governor of Texas’ website. The Texas Lobby Group is posting this summary on an ancillary site as a public service to Texas Lobbyists, Texas Government officials, Texas politically active persons, and other interested parties.
Governor Rick Perry has spoken out and continued to rally for higher level institutions to make a point to use technology and a “competency based approach” to help more college students complete school and ti improve graduation rates. Governor Perry was in part referring to the “College Credit for Heroes” program, which aids veterans by helping them to obtain college credits for the training and work experience the acquire in their military careers. This program is a partnership between the “Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board” and the “Texas Workforce Commission”. These two organizations have created an application process and an opportunity for Higher Education schools to accept credits for veterans and active military members.
“In order to ensure Texas students who want to pursue a degree have access to an affordable and accountable education, Gov. Perry has also called for a four-year tuition freeze at the rate a student pays his or her freshman year. He has also proposed outcomes-based funding for institutions, tying 10 percent of an institution’s state funding to the number of students it graduates. Additionally, the governor has renewed his challenge for institutions of higher education to offer bachelor’s degrees for $10,000 or less, including books. So far, ten institutions have announced or implemented a $10,000 degree.”
It’s quite motivating for those with military experience to pursue a degree if some of the classes and skills already learned and exercised will be given recognition. This college credit program opens the door for veterans and saves time and money for the state and individuals involved. Rick Perry has consistently offered his support for these programs, and recently spoke October 4th at the 2012 Texas Higher Education Leadership Conference about the importance of enabling veterans in the higher education world. This year’s conference took a look at how technology is advancing and what can be done to help advance higher education and four year graduation rates along with it. The conference also makes a point to make a solid evaluation of current circumstance, in order to properly build upon it. It’s a time for leaders in the academic world to collaborate and affect change and progress.