March 17th, 2015
Outcomes-based funding espouses a
singular version of academic success — a vision that would harm Oregon
community colleges and their students. This funding approach has proved
less than successful in other states. It is fraught with complexities,
and community colleges in states where it has been implemented are
attempting to find ways to make the flawed model work.
I strongly agree with Lane Community
College President Mary Spilde on this matter. In opposing plans to tie
state funding levels for community colleges to their graduation rates,
she’s had her head on the chopping block for years — it’s time more of
us got involved.
Essentially, outcomes-based funding favors
colleges with higher student completion rates. All things being equal,
the model might be fair — but things are not equal. At LCC, 74 percent
of students qualify for the Pell Grant. This means that a very high
percentage of Lane students live in poverty. For them, this proposed
funding basis spells trouble.
When people with financial security
experience setbacks, it’s inconvenient. For our students on the fringes,
any setback can be catastrophic; they don’t just drop out of college,
their whole lives can fall apart. The majority of our students are in
this predicament, and attending Lane gives them a fighting chance to get
out of it.