The governing board wants to find out whether the state gets its money's worth, and proposes entry and exit tests.
By ANITA KUMAR
Published May 1, 2003
TALLAHASSEE - The state may begin requiring students at Florida's public universities to take a standardized test when they enter school and another before they graduate to determine whether they learned anything while there.
The idea is to make universities accountable in much the same way as Florida's public schools, which are punished or rewarded depending on their students' performance on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, or FCAT.
"I want to know which universities are doing the best job," said Steve Uhlfelder, a member of the Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the state's 11 universities. "Did we make any difference in these children's lives?"
The proposal now being considered by the board would not affect a student's ability to graduate. But it would tie a significant portion of each university's funding to the test results.
If the plan is approved, Florida would apparently become the first state in the nation to implement a high-stakes testing program for higher education.
Board members said they want to make sure students are learning, not just graduating.
"When citizens pay taxes, they expect a level of service," said Carolyn Roberts, the board's vice chairwoman.
Some members urged caution at a meeting Wednesday in which the plan was discussed.
"I'm a little concerned about the potential minefield," said Richard Briggs, a University of Florida professor who sits on the board. "How you devise a plan to measure success is critical. . . . If we don't do it correctly, it will do more harm than good."
A standardized test isn't the only option under consideration. The state could measure university performance by surveying employers who hire Florida graduates. It could also ask out-of-state universities to do peer reviews.
If a standardized test is used, educators would have to decide what it should measure and when it should be taken. They could have students take a second SAT shortly before they graduate. Board members said that option would allow for direct comparisons.
Most of the board members - including Uhlfelder, who proposed the new requirement - are appointees of Gov. Jeb Bush. Uhlfelder said he has long pushed for performance measures in higher education but said he never got much support until the governor made them an integral part of his education plan.
"The governor wants to dramatically and fundamentally change how we fund higher education," Education Commissioner Jim Horne said. "He wants proof of a return on investment."
The board agreed Wednesday to create an accountability committee that will consider how to determine what Florida students have learned while attending college. About 260,000 students are currently enrolled in the state's schools.
Two influential presidents said they supported the concept of accountability, but warned of potential pitfalls.
University of Florida president Charles Young said the universities must be involved in devising any measures that are used.
University of Central Florida president John Hitt, who heads the state's university presidents association, warned members to consider the price tag.
"I suggest you think carefully about the cost," he said.
Pablo Paez, a board member and chairman of the Florida Student Association, said he understands the attraction of performance measures. But he warned that students will be opposed. "There's much more to a well-rounded college education than just writing and math. . . . It has to be all-encompassing."
