MONEY WOES SHOULD NOT STOP EDUCATIONAL REFORM

The failure of Proposition B doused hopes of increased funding for education this year. But lack of money doesn't have to stall continued educational reform in Missouri.

Good school districts and universities will typically take that extra step toward excellence without state or federal prodding. That has often been the case in our region.

Granted, extra dollars make the quest for educational excellence much easier.

At the governor's conference on higher education held in December, Gov. John Ashcroft challenged educators to find ways to carry out reforms despite tight state finances. These reforms may result as institutions refine missions, eliminate duplication and provide greater accountability.

For example, Southeast Missouri State University has made great strides in recent years to improve its program despite several years of inadequate funding. Whether that level of achievement can be sustained with continued minimal funding increases remains to be determined. Private funding has taken up some of the slack, allowing the university to offer or expand some programs in these tight fiscal times.

Missouri's public schools have also upgraded accountability in recent years, through such standardized testing as MMAT and other directives.

Cape Girardeau's public schools have not stood still despite declining state aid. The district has reduced student-teacher ratios and has instituted an innovative Reading Recovery program in recent years, among other improvements. These measures were accomplished without increased local or state dollars, but they did cost money.

Where to spend these dollars is a matter of priority. To that end, many public schools in the region have begun strategic planning to devise district spending priorities. Of course, schools and universities will find it harder to make improvements as funding remains the same or even declines. That's why local input and support into determining district priorities in the coming months will be so important.

Legislative leaders have also indicated that educational reforms will be a major discussion in the session that began last week. Two such proposals already on the table are replacing the Coordinating Board for Higher Education with a new powerful state board of education and devising a new formula for distributing state aid to public schools.

The state's money woes probably won't allow much financial relief for education this year. And that means any reforms will probably need to be done within current fiscal guidelines. It won't be easy, but we feel good schools will be up to the challenge.