Make case for education merger

The Missouri Senate has passed a resolution that, if approved by voters, would merge Missouri's Coordinating Board of Higher Education and the state's Board of Education into one six-member board. Senators were told such a merger will save Missouri between $1 million and $3 million, a minuscule amount compared to a state budget in the billions.

What the proposal lacks are details on how such a merger will improve the delivery of educational services in Missouri to students from preschool through college. This state constitutional amendment and its accompanying legislation contain virtually no structural changes to a system of education that is in need of upgrades at all levels.

In order to make such a drastic change to educational governance in our state, a comprehensive study should be done that would involve all stakeholders. This hurried approach has the potential for unintended, negative consequences.

This is not to say that the status quo in public education in Missouri is the way to go. There are many positive changes that can be made. Other states are far ahead of Missouri in education reform, and their successful practices could be implemented here.

Change for the sake of change, however, rarely results in good outcomes. Instead, shouldn't we ask what we might do to craft a world-class educational system for Missouri's students?

If merging these two boards would enhance such a goal, it should be done as soon as possible. A persuasive case for this proposed merger, however, has yet to be made.

JOE KNODELL, State Coordinator, Missouri Education Reform Council, Poplar Bluff, Mo.