Creating Leaders, Encouraging Innovation, Promoting Excellence
The Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education is a group of concerned citizens who believe strongly in the power of higher education to transform lives, build our economy and shape Texas’ future. We believe a great university is an incubator of knowledge and creativity. It fuels discovery, and marries research with enhanced classroom teaching, learning, and hands-on experience. It also serves as an economic engine bringing in millions in research and development dollars, new businesses and industries, creating jobs and economic opportunity throughout Texas.
We believe we need to create high quality pathways to higher learning with partnerships linking the flagship universities with high schools, community colleges, technical schools and Tier One institutions, to ensure our educational system meets the diverse and growing needs of our population. In an increasingly global economy, future leaders must be challenged to think differently and consider the implications of diverse cultures, histories and traditions. Well-rounded and informed students are critical to keeping Texas and America competitive and attracting jobs and employers to our state.
Advocates for Texas' Future
The Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education is a group of volunteer advocates who believe the pursuit of knowledge must be a state and national priority. At a time when America’s ability to compete and lead the world is at risk, the research conducted, innovations developed, and resulting improved teaching at Texas’ higher education institutions are more important than ever before. We hope to advance a thoughtful, constructive and transparent dialogue around these important issues for all Texans.
Our Call to Action
The Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education was necessitated by the strong belief that there is a right way to improve higher education and that there is a wrong way that could have long-term damaging effects on our institutions of higher learning, our state's economy and on our future. Current recommendations being floated - from dramatically expanding enrollment while slashing tuition to separating research and teaching budgets, and seceding from a recognized and respected accreditation organization - are decidedly the wrong way. We believe our public university presidents and chancellors have earned our support with their ongoing commitment to a culture of excellence and continual innovation, while also working to cut operating costs and institute reforms. We also believe it is critical to regularly and openly evaluate the performance of our universities, and do so in a public and transparent way.
This website is intended to be a place for the latest news and information on the debate over high-quality higher education in Texas and for the exchange of open constructive dialogue about continued improvements.
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Latest Updates
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Coalition Responds to Passage of Senate Bill 15 to Improve Higher Education Governance
Today the Texas House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 15, relating to the governance of public institutions of higher education. Upon passage the Coalition issued the following statement:
“We applaud the legislature for recognizing the important need to improve standards of excellence within our state’s governing boards. Texas’ institutions of higher education are critical to our state’s economy, and ensuring we develop educated, well-informed citizens to drive our state’s future. Senate Bill 15 is an important step toward improving the governance of these critical state institutions and ensuring members of the boards of regents are adequately equipped, prepared and trained to govern properly. It is our hope that the standards set forth in this bill will lead to a more constructive and less divisive approach to governing our universities.”See the full statement here.Continue reading -
A Texas Battle Over Higher Education
[Podcast]
They say "Everything is Bigger in Texas." But when it comes to higher education, Governor Rick Perry's critics say his vision is too small. Perry's pushing for a $10K college degree. He wants schools to focus on job-training skills. And he wants technology to help get us there. Other states are paying attention. With student loan debt topping $1 trillion, there's a lot of appeal to a bargain bachelor's that leads to a job. Perry's detractors say his vision undermines great research universities, and America will suffer in in the long haul.
Guests
- Reeve Hamilton, covers higher education and politics for the Texas Tribune. (@reevehamilton)
- Thomas Lindsay, director for the Center for Higher Education, Texas Public Policy Foundation, which has been closely aligned with Republican Governor Rick Perry.
- Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education member Ray Bowen will also be joining.