Our Opinion: Higher education elevated to high priority

Higher education is high on the list of topics being discussed this legislative session.
The Missouri Senate on Tuesday advanced a bill that would establish five performance-based criteria for the state’s colleges and universities.
The action occurred on the same day the four-campus University of Missouri System held its 40th annual Legislative Day at the Capitol.
Performance, tuition and eliminating duplication are among the higher education priorities identified by legislators.
The performance funding proposal sponsored by Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg, would place into law four standards set by state government and one selected by the school. Examples of state standards are student retention and graduation.
The schools voluntarily have received some performance funding money in the 2013-14 state budget. More...