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SB 1029 Statement in Opposition to the Committee Substitute for SB 1029 Relating to Performance Incentive Funding for Institutions of Higher Education by Dr. Charles Zucker, Executive Director The Texas Faculty Association respectfully opposes the Committee Substitute for SB 1029. Our Association cannot support the Committee Substitute for SB 1029 because—like the original bill—it links exit exam testing to funding. Although the Committee Substitute does not actually contain the criteria by which institutions of higher education may be awarded additional funding based on exit exam testing, it grants the authority to develop the criteria to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. With all due respect to the Coordinating Board, TFA thinks that this would be a mistake. Any criteria used to assess student learning should be developed by individual institutions—one size does not fit all. Linking exit exam testing to funding will invariably force professors to begin “teaching to the test” in order to try to maximize dollars for their school. Instead of bringing the results of their latest research into the classroom and focusing on teaching their students how to think critically, they will concentrate instead on what their students need to know to bring in the extra dollars. This will not result in a quality education for our college students; quite to the contrary, it will practically guarantee mediocrity. TFA wishes to make it clear that our Association supports the continuing assessment of student learning by our public institutions of higher education. Professors, of course, assess student learning through a variety of methods including essay exams, multiple choice exams, term papers, book reviews and classroom discussion. And, they assign a grade at the end of the course reflecting their professional judgment regarding a student’s performance. The assessment of student learning by an individual professor in his or her course must remain the foundation of a college education. The professor, after all, is the professional who is in the best position to judge a student’s performance. In fact, Texas institutions of higher education are already continually assessing student learning and looking for ways to improve the assessment process. In doing so, they may find ways to improve the quality of the education their students receive. Of course, improving funding for higher education would directly benefit student learning by providing for smaller class sizes and more full time faculty members. It’s no secret that state appropriations for our public institutions of higher education have been shrinking over the years as a percentage of the total cost. Thank you. I would be happy to answer questions. |
Why Join TFA?What's New?The TFA UTMB-Galveston chapter blog From the Coordinating BoardAn Overview of TRS and ORP for Employees Eligible to Elect ORP |
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