Sullivan Examines Research On Education Funding 

STATEHOUSE (Oct. 26, 2016) — State Rep. Holli Sullivan (R-Evansville) this week joined leaders from around the country to learn more about research conducted on outcomes-based funding policies for higher education.

Sullivan said these policies are currently used in determining the amount of state funds given to public colleges and universities in Indiana. They measure things like student enrollment compared to degree completion rates.

“Outcomes-based funding is especially meant to help at-risk students who often leave post-secondary education in debt without degrees and good job prospects,” Sullivan said.

The two-day workshop, Financing Student Outcomes and Equity in Postsecondary Education: Lessons from Leading States, was hosted by the Lumina Foundation. The workshop featured data collected by Research for Action (RFA), an education research organization. The group took an in-depth look at Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee’s funding of higher education and delivered the information to stakeholders.

“I attended these meetings to be the first to hear about new research completed by RFA on Indiana’s policies,” Sullivan said. “I believe it’s imperative we continue to put student successes first and use data-driven formulas in how we fund our schools.”

As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Sullivan works to help build Indiana’s biennial budget, which determines how state revenues are distributed to education, infrastructure, salaries, public pensions, public assistance, corrections, Medicaid and transportation.

She said an immense amount of data was shared at the workshop about policies that have been successful, and others that have been not so successful, in Indiana and surrounding states.

“Indiana’s data looks much better than most and I’m encouraged by the work that’s been accomplished thus far,” Sullivan said. “Using the data during this budget session ensures we will continue to measure our state’s successes. The data shows that our higher education is a source is a source of pride for Indiana and continues to head in the right direction.”