Strategic Plan 2008-2012
Section III: Environmental Scan
General:
Oversight of the State’s diverse educational institutions and agencies is vested in a single State Board. This is an efficient structure that is challenged by the diversity in population density and population growth. Census data and other recent studies indicate that Idaho is experiencing a greater proportional growth rate than other states. Growth rates are uneven between major metropolitan centers and rural areas within the state. A modest tax base demands the Board make the most from the limited opportunities to facilitate mutual support and synergy among the system’s components.
Resource Trends:
In the 10-year period between FY97 and FY07, State funding for K-12 and College/University programs grew by 87.3% and 36.9%, respectively, while funding for corrections and Medicaid grew by 126.4% and 179%, respectively. Over the past decade, student fees for higher education (considered part of the State’s appropriated funding) have increased from less than one fifth of appropriated support to more than one third of appropriated dollars. One of the unintended consequences of the increasing "privatization" of public education is a real (or apparent) reduction in access to quality educational programs for Idahoans of limited economic means.
Infrastructure Support:
Appropriated funding has not kept pace with enrollment or programmatic growth. A robust FY08 education budget—in terms of "one time dollars" for key initiatives—contained virtually no funds for inflationary adjustments (Maintenance of Current Operations), other than employee salaries. An increasing backlog of facilities needs underscores the need for coherent funding strategies to support capital construction and sustainability of the educational system’s physical plant.
Bridging the High School to College Gap:
National and regional comparisons indicate that Idaho ranks well in numbers of 9th graders who successfully graduate, but Idaho is well-below average on college participation rates (the number of high school graduates who proceed directly to college).
These persistent trends indicate that Idaho should focus effort and resources on better academic preparation (concurrent enrollment, AP courses, rigorous curricula, etc.). Increased access to higher education by expanding Community College opportunities can help address this concern.
Access to Community College Programs:
Only two community colleges in Idaho receive support from local taxing districts (North Idaho College and College of Southern Idaho). Boise State University, Idaho State University, and Lewis-Clark State College have been directed by the State Board to provide community college programs, in addition to their baccalaureate and graduate programs; however, there is no financial subsidy for these operations, resulting in higher costs and reduced access for "community college" students at these schools. Costs for comparable "community college" courses (to include academic courses and professional-technical courses) varies widely among the five current institutions with this mission. 2007 legislation to support establishment of an additional community college in the Boise area—followed by local voters’ approval to establish a taxing district for the "College of Western Idaho" should increase access in the area, but strategies have not yet been developed to sustain programs at BSU and the other affected 4-year institutions during as CWI stands up and draws away lower division students.
Secondary Education Preparation:
Students’ aspirations and expectations with respect to college, vocational training, and future employment opportunities form long before they enter their last two years of high school. An integrated State Board approach can facilitate closer integration of Idaho’s elementary, middle school, high school, and higher education system. The State Board has conducted analyses of high school preparation for higher education, identified shortcomings and gaps, and recommended strategies to improve high school students to transition successfully to higher education and the work force. Increased access to concurrent enrollment, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Tech-Prep programs is needed. Joint curriculum planning between secondary and post-secondary institutions is needed within the education system. Similarly, system improvements at the middle school level could smooth the transition for students into high school and, ultimately, into the higher education system.
Higher Education Residency Issues:
Top colleges and universities in the Northwest and throughout the nation have increased emphasis on attracting out-of-state students to their institutions to maintain competitiveness and sustain long-term economic growth in their states. Several of Idaho’s higher education institutions are located within commuting distance of other states, and conduct highly competitive tactics to attract Idaho students to neighboring state institutions. A compelling case has not been made to Idaho legislators to support the benefits of increased out-of-state participation, especially in programs where overhead capacity exists and in which increased enrollment can enable efficiencies in providing courses to Idaho students. Consistent residency requirements should be complemented by enlightened out-of-state waiver guidelines to ensure an optimum overall benefit to Idaho students and taxpayers.
Access to Educational Programs for Deaf/Blind Students:
Idaho’s economic and programmatic support for these students has been highly concentrated at the ISDB facility. There is a need for more-widely distributed programs that can be delivered throughout the state, and a transition program is underway.
College Retention Rates:
National and regional studies highlight Idaho’s poor showing, relative to other states, on retention of entering freshman through to the sophomore year.
This reinforces the earlier-noted need for a rigorous curriculum for college preparation, closer coordination of high school and college/university curricula, adequate funding for remedial courses during the interim period that high school and college curricula and performance standards are aligned, and increased focus on tutoring and advising.
Concerns over access to college for students with limited economic means:
FY08 saw positive steps beginning to address the lack of need-based financial assistance for Idaho students.
The environmental scan supports the need for continuing the momentum established in the FY08 budget to increased need-based support for Idaho students.
Educational Support for Health Services:
National and regional studies indicate a serious shortage of health care professionals. Access to doctors, nurses, and other health professionals is limited in Idaho, especially in rural areas. Last year’s "Nursing Task Force" report and the Governor’s initiative have focused on the need to significantly increase the production of nurses in Idaho. Meanwhile, the need for additional medical doctors in the State suggests that the capacity of "WWAMI" (Wyoming, Washington, Montana, and Idaho) program may merit an increase, and that examination of other options for training physicians for Idaho should be examined.