Penalizing colleges for student performance isn’t the answer
Rick Trachok [chair, Nevada System of Higher Education] writes, “Under Nevada’s new performance-based formula for funding higher education our colleges and universities receive state funding for course and degree completion. Under the old formula, revenue was allocated simply for the number of students enrolled without concern for success or completion.” [“One View: Sandoval good for higher education,” Voices, Jan. 30].
Not so good if standards are lowered to accommodate. Not going to happen? It happened! I quit the university because I was being pressured to change grades earned – Ds and Fs – to Bs so students in the teacher education program could meet requirements for graduation and licensure. Penalizing colleges for poor student performance changes how colleges treat those who do not deserve to be passing; the significance of the degree is undermined and the “formula” is causing just this to happen.
Stephen Lafer, Reno, Reno Gazette-Journal, 2/18/17
Just me or part of a broader and very dangerous trend?
