Higher Education in Nevada and the Florida States - Essay Example

Higher Education in Nevada and Florida s Demand for skilled labor has been on the rise in the recent past. This has led toa high number of a student enrolling for varsity education leading to increase fees to be paid. Purposely, an increase in demand for any product or service facilitates to its price increment. The Higher education sector is not an exemption. The Increase in the number of students in such of knowledge and skills in both private and public or community institutions of learning has greatly promoted to fees increase (Shavit, 2007). Several bodies have risen in the several states in aid to solve the problem of inflated higher education. To understand the funding of higher education in depth, this paper looks at different factors that affect higher education funding in public institutions in Higher Education in Nevada and Florida States The Higher Education in America, also known as third level or post-secondary education is the final stage of formal learning following secondary education. United States Higher Education has ranked high from recent statistics having the largest number of universities in the top 100 list. In fact, from recent statistics, more that half of this number is from American Universiies. This is a clear indicatinn and confirmation that the state of American institutions as welkl as their scientific production is unparalleled. However, the States in the federal government of the United States run these degree-granting institutions (colleges or universities) differently (Flowers, 2004). The financing of these higher education institutions differs out rightly. A case study would be the Valencia Community college, which is located in Orlando, Florida and University of Nevada, Las Vegas within the State of Nevada (DiRamio & Jarvis, 2013). Being the engine that still drives the States through the ladders of economic growth as well as social mobility since WWII, these States Higher Education system is habituated to global identification and emulation (Flowers, 2004). Between the two states, there has been the ethics of access to higher education to the willing, a factor that makes the institutions popular as this was initially embodied in the G. I Bill followed by the unprecedented low-cost state institutions. Hence, the two states and their respective colleges and universities compare immensely in terms of their funding of higher education sector. First, between the two states, there is a massive influence on the federal financial aid as well as other learners’ loan programs. As a result, the feasible funding strengthens the ethic of success among the students irrespective of their socioeconomic status, they emerge from (Hernon, 2013). One of the largely boosting mood in the learners in these two states is their conviction, especially those from middle class homes, that college or university education still remains the best shot to economic sanctuary. Due to this federal financial aid, the support of learners in higher education, especially in Nevada, is viewed in relation to how many learners are available in class. Even though raising the participation rate of college students is a crucial issue between the two states, Valencia Community College, in Florida seems more inclined in adopting performance criteria in funding for higher education. Going by the perception of Nevada University, their funding approach merits to a greater extend learners from low-income and the underserved population recruited in their facility. However, an inflection into the matter would point at a major primary challenge, especially in Nevada (Flowers, 2004). For instance, 40% of the students benefiting from federal funding as well as student loan fails to graduate even after enrolling for full-time, four years stay in the University. Therefore, observing the way the learners get enough financial aid from the federal government, one would conclude that it is indeed a serious waste of public resources. It is this mannerism of admitting students who later drop out without any qualification that necessitated the Valencia Community college in Florida continue drifting towards higher education funding based on student’s performance criterion (Hernon, 2013). These are some of the state contexts, for instance the political climate in Florida that shape a lot its education sector while its per capita income is also incredible. Therefore, performance based funding applies more in Florida Higher education, learning as compared to the methodology of Nevada University. Moreover, like many states within the United States Higher Education system, Nevada and Florida have revised their enrollment based mold in aligning it with the individual state goals and priorities. The two, for instance, have, over the course of the years, seem to work on a funding procedure allocating monetary assists based on the performance indicators. The two states (Nevada and Florida) consider issues like course completion, transfer rates, the number of degrees awarded, the time one takes in doing the degree or even the size of the low-income and the financially struggling learners (Flowers, 2004). Looking at Florida, in which it has in place four year institutions, the funding amount differs from the way Nevada operates. For instance, for FY2015, $200 million was on budget in tandem with the performance funding formula. In this, $100 million in new state funding, $65million from institutional base budgets, and $35 million coming from the University system of Florida inventiveness. If one compares these statistics to Nevada as a state, which has in place at two-year and four-year institutions, there are noticeable variances. For instance, 5% of the base funding in the state higher education program would be at stake come FY 2015. Also, the amount of performance would automatically increase from approximate 5% to a tune of 20% in FY2018 (Flowers, 2004). The status seen in Florida indicates that under the new arrangements, the amount of new state funding would definitely be harmonized by an alike amount reallocated from the University’s base funding. Therefore, if the two institutions from each State are to retain base funding, they have an obligation to earn at least 25 points, with a higher achievement attracting additional funding. This continual seeking for the best higher education funding (performance funding), with the experience that it brings along, has led to the identification of some of the best practices between these states in tandem with their higher education funding approach (Hernon, 2013). In addition, due to their state context, in terms of their diversity in economy, demography, politics, governance or coordinating bodies, each state assumes its own design tip towards higher education funding (Hernon, 2013). The two states, for instance, seem to allow their post secondary institutions get their funding and support in relation to their missions and standards. For example, research institutions like the University of Nevada, Las Vegas ought to receive its support in tandem with its work on research and development performance while the Valencia Community college gets its support because of its output in workforce training results. In this way, the funding formula becomes easy and simple to comprehend in both states, with unambiguous metrics not in place anymore. Also, the two states, more emphasized in Valencia Community College, seem to reward colleges that promote graduation of low-income, minority students since the original concept of serving the community remains the crucial idea. More importantly, the two states, despite their different social-political and economic trends, have maintained focus on trying to improve college and university completion as well as recompense the idea of progress and success (Flowers, 2004). This has helped in aligning the funding procedure with the university’s or college state of the economy in its context as well as the workforce output (Hernon, 2013). Because of the composite nature of the population living within the two states, engaging all stakeholders, and policy makers, the higher education leaders as well as faculty members would help a lot towards designing a formidable funding system feasible within the United States Higher Education institutions. In conclusion, the comparison drawn herein serves as a good indication that the rate of anxiety in America with regard to higher education is on the increase. Nevertheless, the high cost of the education and the raising students debt, coupled with the reducing financial and educational returns are weakening the common discernment that higher education is a valuable investment. However, it is important to preserve the academic quality through students’ learning measurements, no matter the state. Although Nevada boosts of the best business tax climates among the states, the economic crisis, it’s facing would call for a strong system of higher education (Flowers, 2004). Like it is happening in Florida, the business climate would rejuvenate through innovations, research and development. Just like in Valencia, the states proper funding in their higher education would post strong statistics in student learning, equity and employment, and completion as well as employment after higher learning. The objective of varsity public education in the two states has a great objective of ensuring that education which turn to be a basic need for many people is affordable to all as we have seen from the discussion. Without public varsity education, many people in the two states would not have afforded to finance for their education, but with Funding given by different body, they are now educated. References DiRamio, D., & Jarvis, K. (2013). Veterans in higher education: When johnny and jane come marching to campus. San Francisco, Calif: Jossey-Bass. Flowers, L. A. (2004). Diversity issues in American colleges and universities: Case studies for higher education and student affairs professionals. Springfield, Ill: C.C. Thomas. Hernon, P. (2013). Higher education outcomes assessment for the twenty-first century. Read More