Buckeye Institute Critiques Board of Regents Plan; Examines Higher Education Vouchers
COLUMBUS - The Buckeye Institute today released two studies regarding the state's higher education system. Both studies address the ongoing debate over higher education accessibility, cost and accountability. One study specifically focuses on recommendations made in the Ohio Board of Regents' strategic plan.
In "Which Way for Higher
Education in Ohio?" report authors Dr. Richard Vedder, an Ohio
University economics professor and Buckeye Institute academic advisor,
and Marc Kilmer, a Buckeye Institute policy analyst, offer a critical
analysis of the Ohio Board of Regents Strategic Plan for Higher
Education: 2008-2017. The authors praise certain aspects of the plan,
but question its three major assumptions.
"Some of the specifics within the Regents' report are common sense ideas to promote efficiency, such as improving the ability of students to transfer between institutions of higher learning in the state," the authors wrote. "At the same time, however, the proposal proceeds from several assumptions, some of them implicit, that are highly questionable."
Specifically, Vedder and Kilmer took issue with the following three assumptions:
First, the plan estimates large enrollment growth over the next decade. However, it does not conclusively demonstrate a need for the corresponding increase in college-educated Ohioans.
Second, it assumes that a massive increase in higher education investment is necessary to reverse Ohio's relative economic decline, and increase economic growth in the Buckeye State.
Third, it implicitly assumes that the massive enrollment growth largely will take place at public institutions, while ignoring the role private schools, including proprietary ones, will play.
"Higher Education Vouchers in Ohio: A Proposal for a 'College Choice' Program," authored by Kilmer with an introduction by Vedder, examines access, affordability and accountability of the state's higher education system. In the study, Kilmer reviews proposals granting the Board of Regents authority to set tuition rates, as well as legislative calls for additional accountability measures. His research concludes that both reforms increase overall higher education bureaucracy, but provide limited benefit.
The study suggests giving consideration to innovative higher education reforms such as those implemented in Colorado.
"Ohio should consider a college choice program and allow all students in the state to receive money to attend the college of that student's choice," Kilmer advised. "Only by giving more power to Ohio's students can the state truly address the problems that are plaguing Ohio higher education."
"Instead of empowering government, however, the state should consider empowering students," Kilmer added. "Colorado has already done this by eliminating state support to higher education and instead providing a voucher to Colorado students who attend an in-state public institution of higher education."
The Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions is a nonpartisan research and educational institute devoted to individual liberty, economic freedom, personal responsibility and limited government in Ohio.
