Capitol Building from Rear Entrance

News Update From the Council on Postsecondary Education

Kentucky postsecondary education reform receives national acclaim

Kentucky postsecondary education reform has received national attention in several recent publications. Federal Education Secretary Margaret Spellings cites Kentucky as a best practice state in postsecondary education accountability in the December issue of the Association of Governing Board’s Trusteeship magazine. Transforming Higher Education: National Imperative - State Responsibility, a report by the National Conference of State Legislatures, cites Kentucky's Public Agenda as a best practice in postsecondary strategic planning. Also, a recent article in Converge magazine, “When Governors Enter the Education Picture,” discusses Governor Fletcher’s strong commitment to the alignment of education and workforce efforts 'to create a single technology, delivery and policy network spanning all of its state-funded stakeholders.'

Council participates in national dialogue on the future of higher education

Dr. Jim Applegate, vice president for academic affairs at the Council on Postsecondary Education, recently represented Kentucky at a national forum convened by Education Secretary Margaret Spellings that focused on the need for postsecondary education reform. Participants at the forum discussed potential strategies for accrediting agencies and the postsecondary education community to implement the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Higher Education, specifically the recommendation for making student learning outcomes and achievement the core priority and requirement for institutional accreditation. For more information about the national forum, visit the U.S. Department of Education Web site.

Governor Fletcher meets with Strategic Committee on Postsecondary Education

Governor Fletcher told members of the Strategic Committee on Postsecondary Education (SCOPE) at a December 13 meeting in Frankfort that Kentucky can now afford to restore some postsecondary education capital construction projects vetoed during the 2006 legislative session. He noted that funding is available as a result of increased state revenues and implementation of solid debt management practices. SCOPE members also heard presentations from several other state leaders including Dr. Tom Layzell and Mr. John Turner of CPE, Dr. Lee Todd, Jr. of UK, House Appropriations and Revenue Chairman Harry Moberly, State Budget Director Brad Cowgill, Senate Majority Floor Leader Dan Kelly and House Speaker Jody Richards. To view presentations and other materials from the SCOPE meeting, visit the Council Web site.

CPE policy group to meet with national expert in higher education funding

The Budget and Finance Policy Group of the Council will meet January 8 to hear Dennis Jones, a national expert on higher education funding issues. Jones, who is president of the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, will discuss possible funding approaches, best practices in other states, strategies to match funding policies to Kentucky’s Public Agenda, measures of performance and accountability and other policy issues. This discussion will set the stage for a comprehensive review of the Council's finance policies and potential revisions for the 2008-2010 biennial budget recommendations. Presidents of the universities and KCTCS will participate in the discussion, as well as key policy makers in the Governor's office and the General Assembly. For more information about the CPE Budget and Finance Policy Group, visit the Council Web site.

Council chooses firm for presidential search

The CPE Presidential Search Committee has selected Academic Search as the firm to coordinate the search for a new Council president. Dr. Elaine Hairston of Academic Search visited Kentucky Dec. 11-13 to meet with a number of state officials, legislative and executive branch officers and higher education leaders, including the advisory conference of postsecondary presidents. Dr. Hairston will present a presidential profile to the search committee at its next meeting January 3 detailing what she learned during her visit. For more information about the CPE Presidential Search Committee, visit the Council Web site.