TASK FORCE COULD FOSTER CHANGES IN EDUCATION

To the casual observer, the Task Force on Critical Choices for Higher Education may seem like just another in a long line of seemingly futile efforts to improve education.

But this task force, set up by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education, offers high hopes for real improvements.

One big reason for such optimism is that this task force is comprised of representatives of the University of Missouri Board of Curators and boards of regents of the state's public colleges and universities.

Chairing the task force is John Lichtenegger of Jackson, who is president of the Board of Curators and a vocal proponent of the need for changing the higher education system and making it more efficient.

This new task force represents a significant departure from the "business-as-usual" approach of looking strictly to educators and legislators to draw up the blueprints for education reform and improvements.

Higher education is an issue that affects us all, not just those that work on college campuses. We all have a stake in improving education.

Now for the first time, the lay leadership of the state's public colleges and universities will have an opportunity to focus their collective attention on how to improve higher education.

The task force is set to meet four times between March 26 and June 5, with a final report to be presented June 26 to the coordinating board.

The task force has an opportunity to focus on higher education from top to bottom, including institutional missions, funding and governance.

Lichtenegger says the task force is not a vehicle for higher taxes. He rightly observes that Missouri citizens want to see more efficiency in higher education before they look to new tax proposals. The resounding defeat of Proposition B last year clearly underscores that point.

Calls for education reform have become commonplace in candidates' political speeches.

This task force has a chance to rise above campaign rhetoric and become an effective tool to promote meaningful changes in higher education.

But to do so, members of the task force will have to actively explore the issues, not just pay lip service to them. Not only that, but those serving on the task force should seek input from their respective boards of regents and the Board of Curators.

Higher education is much easier to talk about than do something about. But this new task force offers an opportunity to provide some clear direction for the future.