Hulshof’s Plan for Higher Education
Since announcing his
candidacy for governor, Kenny Hulshof has consistently talked about the
importance his administration will place upon higher education. Kenny understands that education is one of
the best investments we can make to bolster our state’s economy.
Missouri’s higher education system is currently ranked 47th
in the country when it comes to funding. Kenny Hulshof is vowing to change that. He will ensure that every Missourian has the opportunity to gain a
world-class education right here in our state. His plan will also ensure a stable source of funding for colleges and
universities along with the accountability that Missouri’s taxpayers demand.
I.
Increased needs-based scholarships
In
the past four years, state funding for needs-based college scholarships has
increased nearly four fold. In 2004, the
state appropriated just $25 million. That has since been increased to nearly $100 million. Kenny Hulshof will continue this trend by
expanding eligibility and increasing scholarship amounts. He will also designate a portion of the
funding for math and science scholarships.
II.
World-class education available in biotechnology,
engineering, math and chemistry
If Missouri’s economy is to
thrive in the 21st Century, it will require a workforce skilled in
the areas of biotechnology, math, chemistry, and engineering.
In
order to enhance training in these vital areas, Kenny will establish the Missouri
Prosperity Initiative. This public/private
partnership will fortify current degree programs in these disciplines, as well
as assist in creating new programs.
State
contributions will be leveraged by requiring a 2-to-1 match from businesses and
philanthropic interests.
Within
this same fund, Kenny will create the Missouri Eminent Scholars Endowment Fund. This money will help attract world-class
researchers to Missouri. These researchers will then attract millions
of dollars in federal research grants and increased potential for new business
start-ups within the state.
III.
Higher ed funding formula
Under
the Hulshof plan, Missouri’s
public colleges and universities will be able to better plan in advance with a
clear and certain funding formula.
Starting
in 2011, Kenny will increase the state’s investment in higher education to the
rate of inflation plus two percent. This
will be an aggressive, yet affordable, way for Missouri to match the investment neighboring
states are making in higher education.
This
level of investment would have lead to better funding for Missouri colleges in seven of the past nine
years.
IV.
Transparent and Accountable
With
increased funding comes additional accountability to taxpayers. The Hulshof Plan will require public colleges
and universities to provide information for an annual Missouri Higher Education
Accountability and Performance Report. This report is modeled after a similar account published by the University of Texas System.
This
information will be beneficial to lawmakers as they make appropriations
decisions. It will also benefit students
and parents as they seek to make informed decisions on where to go to school.
Hulshof’s Plan for K-12 Education
To compete for the jobs of the 21st
century, we must match Missouri’s strong work ethic with quality education and job
training. Kenny Hulshof has a plan to
equip students with the skills to compete in the new economy.
1,500 New High-Caliber Math and Science Teachers in
Missouri Schools
Missouri’s workforce is changing and new jobs often require advanced
skills in math and science. Kenny Hulshof has a plan to help Missouri elementary, middle and high school students
gain the skills necessary to acquire a good job. As governor, Kenny will work
to attract 1,500 new math and science teachers to our state by offering an
incentive of $3,000 to every new math and science teacher who demonstrates
excellence in their field. At a cost of $4.5
million, these teachers will help prepare Missouri students for the 21st
century economy.
Affordable Access to Technical Schools
and Community Colleges
Missourians benefit from a statewide
network of effective and affordable technical schools and community colleges. Yet,
there are many Missourians who, for financial or other reasons, cannot attend these
institutions. In many cases, a worker might not be able to afford relocation to
a community with a school or college that offers a program relevant to their
needs.
Kenny believes that every
Missourian who possesses the willingness to work and a desire to learn should
be given every opportunity to succeed. He will work with the leaders of Missouri’s
technical schools and colleges to create online classes in every career field
these institutions serve. He will work with the same schools and colleges to
ensure that credits are easily transferred from one state school to another. In
his first year in office, Kenny will invest $5 million in targeted funding to
establish these programs and will continue to fund these programs until
Missourians have online opportunities in all degree areas.
Missouri Fast
Track
Kenny understands that
entrepreneurs and large employers will not invest in our state unless they are
assured that the workforce is skilled. To that end, Kenny will further boost training by creating Missouri Fast
Track, a pre-employment training program designed to create groups of ready-to-hire
employees.
Similar programs in states
across the nation have proven highly successful. Georgia Quick Start, for
example, has delivered on almost 5,200 start-up projects over 40 years, creating
more than 600,000 new jobs for the state. That’s an average of more than 15,000 new jobs every year.
Kenny will launch Missouri
Fast Track by investing $10 million in state funds that will attract these
quality jobs to our state. As a result of Kenny’s plan, tens of thousands of
Missourians will be well-positioned to acquire new, higher-paying jobs. Success like that seen in Georgia will ensure that the
program pays for itself.