Current:Home > FinanceKentucky governor touts rising college enrollments while making pitch for increased campus funding -Streamline Finance
Kentucky governor touts rising college enrollments while making pitch for increased campus funding
View
Date:2025-04-19 04:51:27
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky’s status as a pacesetter in college enrollment gains was touted by the governor and higher education leaders on Thursday as they made a pitch for more funding to continue the momentum.
Between fall 2022 and fall 2023, Kentucky was at the forefront nationally with overall higher education enrollment growth of 5.6%, Gov. Andy Beshear said, citing data from the National Student Clearinghouse. That includes gains of 5.5% in undergraduate enrollment and 4.9% in graduate enrollment.
“This means that Kentucky is one of the very first states to recover from the enrollment decreases virtually everyone saw during the pandemic,” Beshear said at his weekly news conference.
The Democratic governor said the state should build on that success. He promoted his proposed 8% increase in base funding for public universities and colleges over the next two years, part of his state budget plan that calls for massive increases in education funding — from pre-K through college.
“To grasp our potential, we have to continue to invest,” the governor said.
House Republicans are expected to unveil their own budget plan soon as lawmakers craft the next two-year state budget in coming weeks. The Senate will then put its imprint on the measure, with the final version hashed out in negotiations. Republicans have supermajorities in both legislative chambers.
Beshear and higher education leaders on Thursday stressed the link between education and economic growth. Most future jobs will require some form of education or training beyond high school, they said.
“We are the best return on investment that we have toward an economy,” said Aaron Thompson, president of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.
Eastern Kentucky University President David McFaddin pointed to inroads made by Kentucky schools in attracting more first-generation college students to their campuses, contributing to the broader enrollment growth. Since 2020, the size of EKU’s freshman class has grown by 30%, he said.
“What it means is that we are reaching further and deeper than we ever have before to make college an opportunity,” he said at the news conference.
Beshear framed education funding as an issue cutting across party lines. The governor, fresh off his reelection victory that raised his national profile, has proposed an 11% pay raise for teachers and all other public school employees and state-funded preschool for Kentucky 4-year-olds. His plan would increase per-pupil funding under the state’s main funding formula and would fully fund student transportation.
“We have to continue to just do the right things, that aren’t red or blue, they’re not ‘D’ or ‘R,’' he said.
Meanwhile, the governor took aim at legislation targeting diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in higher education. The Kentucky bill is part of a broader campaign by GOP lawmakers in a number of states.
Asked about the issue, Beshear said he sees diversity as a societal asset and lambasted the Kentucky measure as an attempt to create a “boogeyman to rile people up” in an election year.
The bill — Senate Bill 6 — seeks to limit diversity, equity and inclusion practices and initiatives at public colleges and universities by way of “non-credit classes, seminars, workshops, trainings and orientations.” It would allow university employees and students to sue if they believe they’ve been discriminated against due to their “refusal to support or endorse any divisive concept,” The bill was introduced last week and has drawn several GOP cosponsors. Republican Sen. Mike Wilson, its lead sponsor, said DEI policies in public universities have led to attempts to “divide instead of unite people.”
“Instead of promoting intellectual dialogue, individualism, the content of one’s character and merit-based practices, DEI has driven a wedge against those of us who want to see Kentucky achieve greater things,” Wilson said in a recent news release.
veryGood! (23)
Related
- The 'Rebel Ridge' trailer is here: Get an exclusive first look at Netflix movie
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- US auto safety agency seeks information from Tesla on fatal Cybertruck crash and fire in Texas
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- Daughter of Utah death row inmate navigates complicated dance of grief and healing before execution
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
Ranking
- Audit: California risked millions in homelessness funds due to poor anti-fraud protections
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
Recommendation
Your Wedding Guests Will Thank You if You Get Married at These All-Inclusive Resorts
See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
Travis Hunter, the 2
Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches