Kentucky to fund public universities based on performance

College funding

College funding

Madison Rexroat

Kentucky lawmakers voted Tuesday to pass a bill that will distribute $1 billion to public universities based on graduation rates and other factors. 

The bill will give 35 percent of funding based on the number of bachelor degrees produced, the progression of credit hours attained, the number of STEM degrees earned, and the number of degrees awarded to low-income and minority students.

The next 35 percent would be based on credit hours earned by a student in Kentucky, while another 30 percent would be distributed according to square footage of student resources and costs of instruction of full-time students.

Some smaller, rural colleges are concerned about the bill because their performance measures might be swayed against them due to their unique characteristics. Others, however, support the bill’s efforts to invest taxpayer dollars wisely and strategically.

To read the full story in The Herald Leader, click here.