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May 25, 2005
University of Wyoming Outreach Building
Casper, Wyoming
Senators: Tex Boggs and Charles Scott
Representatives: Steve Harshman and Jeff Wasserburger
Other
members: Reed Eckhardt, Andrew Hansen, Tom Kinnison, Dr. Joe Megeath,
Bryan Monteith and Lisa Skiles Parady
Dave Gruver and Steve Sommers
Please refer to Appendix 1 to review the Committee Sign-in Sheet for a list of other individuals who attended the meeting.
Marta Stroock
All meeting materials and handouts provided to the Committee by the Legislative Service Office (LSO), public officials, lobbyists, and the public are referenced in the Meeting Materials Index, attached to the minutes. These materials are on file at the LSO and are part of the official record of the meeting.
Senator Scott called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. The Committee introduced themselves. Senator Scott called for nominations for chairman. Representative Wasserburger nominated as cochairmen Senator Boggs and Representative Harshman. The nominations were closed and Mr. Kinnison moved the Committee cast a unanimous vote. The motion passed. Senator Boggs assumed chairmanship for the remainder of the morning. The agenda for the meeting is attached as appendix 2.
Senator Scott explained the history of SF 122. The bill started as a higher education endowment bill. There was a scholarship component in the original bill inserted as a placeholder for the various potential scholarship programs. Representative Harshman explained the House amendments to SF 122 to incorporate, change and flesh out the scholarship program. Representative Wasserburger explained what he believed the Committee's charge is and noted that the Management Council has suggested that the Committee consider also a need based component to the program.
Mr. Eckhardt questioned how the Committee could deviate from statutory language. The Committee discussed legislative intent and whether merit based is the sole criteria or whether need may be considered as a component. Mr. Kinnison noted that merit based scholarship is not a defined statutory term, thus what is merit will be determined by the Committee. The Committee discussed what is meant by a "merit based scholarship" program.
Program funding
Steve Sommers, LSO, explained the current projections for the program and previous projections. He provided appendix 3, showing the various amounts projected for the endowment and scholarship programs. Using CREG revenue projections, the scholarship account could have nearly $85 million at the end of FY06 and $207 million at the end of FY08. If revenue projections are somewhat higher than currently estimated, but still placed at a realistic amount given current prices, the account could have $253 million at the end of FY08. Mr. Sommers noted that under the current arrangement, with funds dependent upon the balance of another spending account, the projections are dependent upon legislative actions making other appropriations, as well as revenue projections being maintained.
Current assessment, proficiency and graduation standards
Dr. Annette Bohling, Department of Education, addressed current assessment, graduation and proficiency standards. She provided a summary of proficiency and graduation requirements. (Appendix 4) Dr. Bohling noted that certain tests are established as predictors and are intended to discriminate between student performance. On the other hand state proficiency standards establish targets and are not intended to discriminate among students, but to get students to a set level of expected knowledge. The current Wyoming performance standards require students to be proficient in 38 standards which cover 9 content areas. In addition students are required to successfully complete a certain number of years of specified courses (English, math, etc.).
Dr. Bohling also provided a review of Wyoming student performance in comparison to national standardized testing. (Appendix 5) While Wyoming students still have ground to cover, the trend shows that Wyoming student performances are improving in the past 6 years and have improved in comparison to national averages. An example given was 1998 fourth grade reading, where Wyoming was 27th in the nation (without all states testing) and is now 15th (with all states testing). Wyoming has set its proficiency standards high in comparison to the remainder of the nation. (Appendix 6).
The Committee discussed the interplay between the performance standards, standardized tests and the scholarship program to be formulated. Senator Boggs asked that Ms. Bohling provide a copy of the study done by the University, Central Wyoming Community College and the Lander school district correlating the taking of certain courses and success in college. Rick Miller of the University agreed to provide the study and Senator Boggs asked that it be distributed to the Committee. Mr. Hansen noted that there is a danger in drawing conclusions based upon single or limited number of criteria since there are multiple interacting variables.
Dr. Bohling addressed Wyoming high school graduation rates. The rates are based upon incoming freshmen and those that dropped out of school. (Appendix 5) Transfers to other schools are not counted. Those who cannot be tracked are counted as drop outs. Wyoming's current graduation rate is 78.76% which is a high mark over the last decade (76.03% was the lowest over that time).
Dr. Bohling also addressed additional testing being administered and the possibility that the Committee consider use of other testing standards that might be an incentive and opportunity to increase proficiency during the high schoolers' senior years. She emphasized that the assessment and proficiency standards should not and are not being lowered, but the Department and districts are attempting to provide means by which the students can reach the high standard set. Representative Wasserburger noted that while WYCAS had been set very high initially, the federal no child left behind requirements require a new assessment which cannot be completely compared with WYCAS. Dr. Bohling noted that the new standard (PAWS) is set to achieve and measure individual performance, WYCAS was set to measure and improve system performance. The Committee discussed the differences in the tests and what they are intended to measure. Mr. Hansen noted that PAWS was first field tested this past year, while the ACT has been an established standardized test for many years. PAWS is an indicator of preparedness, the ACT is intended to act as a predictor of success, according to Dr. Bohling. She suggested that the Committee consider the new state assessment system as one of the criteria for scholarships.
Current costs of attending the University and Community Colleges and Scholarship Programs Available.
Rick Miller, UW vice president, provided a copy of SF 150, from 2001, a horizons scholarship program. (Appendix 7). That proposed bill, which was targeted to the more successful students, failed. He suggested that the bill might be helpful since it contains additional provisions and definitions not found in some of the bills considered last session.
Mr. Miller introduced Dr. Tom Buchanan, who will become President of the University for at least the next 12 to 18 months, as the University Trustees continue the process of retaining a President. Dr. Buchanan provided and spoke from written materials (Appendix 8). From those materials, Dr. Buchanan reviewed UW student characteristics,. He noted that currently high school GPAs are the best single indicator of success at the University. The average GPA for incoming freshmen is 3.4. Eighty percent of Wyoming college students are first generation college students. Fifty-two percent of Wyoming high school graduates attend college (compared to 63 to 70 percent in the highest ranking states). Assured admission standards at the University are a high school GPA of 2.75 and the passing of 13 core requirements. He emphasized that the retention rates do show that there are cutoff points which the Committee could consider for establishing scholarship levels. He also noted that the ACT and high school GPA scores have been very consistent over time as predictors of college graduation rates.
Annual tuition and fees for UW in comparison with other area schools were presented. Wyoming's annual tuition for resident undergraduates is $3,243. Cost of attendance is estimated at about $13,350 per year, for living on campus.
Dr. Buchanan reviewed the timeline for determining financial aid, and expected family contribution for financial aid purposes (determined by federal requirements). Pell grant eligibility and UW scholarship programs were reviewed. The number of scholarships and qualifications are found in appendix 8. Mr. Miller noted that many of the scholarships available carry with them very particularized requirements and are certainly not available to all incoming freshmen, nor do they all carry forward for all years of attendance.
Dr. Buchanan noted that very few students will not have some financial need, many will have considerable financial need. Total current scholarships available are also found in appendix 8. Total state financial aid in 2005 was $2.3 million. There currently is no state need based financial assistance available (when need is defined as not including any merit based consideration). Loans represent two-thirds of all financial aid available nationally. The average loan indebtedness for UW graduating undergraduates is about $15,000. Overall financial support for Wyoming resident undergraduates comes 63.2% from family contributions, 12.5% from scholarships, 6% from federal Pell Grants and 18.3% from student loans.
Jim Rose, Executive Director of the Wyoming Community College Commission, addressed the Committee, providing appendix 9. He described the typical community college student. For academic year 2003-2004, 21,061 students were enrolled in Wyoming Community Colleges. Over 63% of those are enrolled on less than a full time (defined as 12 or more hours per semester) basis. Only 1 in 5 of Wyoming Community college students are enrolled in occupational programs (41% academic, 21% occupational, 38% undecided). Average cost of attendance for full-time off-campus students was $9,633 in academic year 2003-04, with tuition averaging $1,713.
Financial assistance is primarily federal. Available federal assistance amounts to $26 million while state aid consists of only a total of about $403,000. Institutional aid amounts to $3.2 million. Private and external aid amounts to about $8 million. It appears that about $370,000 in institutional financial aid could be redirected to non-Hathaway scholarship recipients if necessary. Mr. Rose emphasized that the majority of community college attendees would not qualify for a scholarship based upon full-time enrollment. He asked the Committee's consideration in addressing those students who do not fit the "mold" of the typical 18 year old high school graduates. Most community college students do not fit that mold. The total unmet need for community college students was not known at the immediate time.
Senator Scott questioned whether a state scholarship program would impact federal loan and grant provisions. The response from the audience and Mr. Rose was that it should not have any adverse impact.
Mr. Kinnison, asked for information as to the number of students graduating, the number attending UW and those attending community colleges in order for the Committee to have a baseline for determining if the implementation of the scholarship program will affect those numbers. He also provided the Committee with material regarding Whitney benefits student loan program and offered that the Committee could use any information developed under that program in formulating criteria for the Hathaway scholarship program. (Appendix 10)
LSO staff compared the scholarship bills introduced last session, summarizing a matrix provided earlier to the Committee. (Appendix 11)
Public comment
Dr. Walter Nolte, president of Casper Community college, noted that the Missouri program is an excellent program and suggested the Committee consider a number of items. Some of those listed were the initial qualifications, who will certify that qualifications are met, the use of the scholarship during the summer, students who delay entry, whether the amount provided will be fixed or tied to tuition, whether developmental education programs were eligible. Cochairman Boggs noted that many of the issues raised are covered in 2005 HB 323 and to an extent in the Louisiana statutes. He asked that those statutes be provided to the Committee. He also requested that other information provided to him comparing the various plans in the other states be copied and sent to the Committee. Ms. Skiles Parady asked Dr. Nolte that a written summary of his comments be provided to the Committee.
The Committee questioned what could be learned from the experience in Missouri. Dr. Nolte stated that the promise of tuition, fees and books was a mistake. He also noted that students purchased books with state funds and later resold those and retained the money. That did not please a number of legislators. Mr. Megeath requested that others with experience in ongoing programs be contacted to provide information to the Committee regarding pitfalls and items to consider.
Phil Van Horne with Western States Student Loan Corporation, addressed the Committee. He added to the list of items for the Committee to consider in establishing criteria.
Bill Schilling, Wyoming Business Alliance, addressed the Committee. He provided appendix 12, which addresses the history of the Taylor scholarship program. Key components in his view were to keep the program simple and seamless, not to have different standards for different institutions. He also urged the adoption of three reward systems. He suggested that the Committee hear from Dr. Caillier, who has volunteered to appear before the Committee. Mr. Kinnison asked for documentation that the dropout rate has decreased in response to the Taylor plan in Louisiana. Senator Scott asked whether Dr. Caillier would be knowledgeable about effects of implementing the program and whether he would know the potential pitfalls for the program choices.
Mr. Hansen noted that there were other case studies in states and questioned whether there were any scholarship programs in Massachusetts, Iowa and Indiana, states with high college attendance rates, which might affect those rates. Staff was asked to respond. Mr. Kinnison stated that he would like to see direct inquiries to the states rather than going through outside entities. He also reiterated his request for a comparison of number of persons attending colleges and the number of those graduating from high school before and after the implementation of the program.
The Committee discussed a work plan and suggested items to consider. Senator Scott requested that the University put together a computer program to estimate the cost of the program as changes were made to GPAs and ACTs and other qualifications. Senator Scott also suggested spending Committee funds to bring in other persons who have instituted like programs to discuss pitfalls. He also noted that the effect of the program will have on the number of students qualifying for the program. Senator Boggs noted that the Committee needs to have the philosophical discussion of whether the program is intended to increase the number of persons attending colleges and the University.
The Committee discussed how to proceed. Mr. Kinnison suggested that all members should email additional questions to the LSO and that the LSO work with the Chairmen to set up a means of addressing the issues raised. The list would then be circulated to the Committee for additional potential questions. Committee members were asked to provide a list of questions to the LSO by the end of the week. The Committee chairmen would work with LSO to review the list and incorporate it into an agenda for the next meeting.
June 24 was set for the next Committee meeting and July 13th for the subsequent meeting. Both in Casper at 10:00 a.m. August 3, was set as a fourth possible meeting date. Cochairman Boggs stated that Mr. Hansen had done work regarding increasing college participation in Wyoming and that he should be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 4:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________
Senator Tex Boggs, Cochairman