Keyano College Media Statement – Outcomes-based funding

Posted On Wednesday January 22, 2020

Keyano College will engage with Alberta Advanced Education in the coming days as new outcomes-based post-secondary funding approach is introduced across the province to increase transparency and accountability and to help build a modern and diverse workforce for the future.

Under the new funding model, a portion of government funding to colleges, universities and polytechnics will be based on achieving key performance measures, and is expected to include measures like graduation and completion rates, graduate employment, and student satisfaction.

Keyano College looks forward to the development of key performance measures in line with Department objectives. For example, in the College’s most recent published annual report, 93 percent of Keyano students reported being satisfied with their educational experience.

The amount of funding tied to performance outcomes will begin at 15 per cent of operational funding for 2020-21 and gradually increase to a maximum of 40 per cent by 2022-23. A small number of performance measures will be introduced for the 2020-21 academic year, and more measures will be gradually introduced over the next three years to a total of about 15.

Throughout this time of budget constraint, Keyano will continue to work to find ways to reduce administrative spending, to grow enrolment, reduce overall costs on a per-student basis, and grow revenue from a wide variety of sources while keeping a strong commitment to its core mission.

 

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Link for the Alberta Advanced Education news release: Transforming post-secondary funding

 

Media release from the Council of Post-Secondary Presidents of Alberta follows:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                  January 20, 2020

Today the government of Alberta announced that a portion of annual post-secondary grant funding would be subject to performance-based criteria. For some time, the members of the Council of Post-Secondary Presidents of Alberta (COPPOA), have been raising the need for changes to the funding model. We welcome the opportunity to work with the Government of Alberta, as well as with students, faculty and staff associations and other stakeholders, to develop measureable performance criteria. These measures must be linked to the core mission of institutions, connected to an overall vision for the post-secondary system, and recognize the important role that this sector plays within the communities we serve.

Alberta’s post-secondary system supports accessible, affordable and very high value learning opportunities.  The system also supports research, innovation and skill development that are the core drivers for a diversified, thriving, and adaptable economy.  Collectively, COPPOA serves hundreds of thousands of learners, preparing the next generation of entrepreneurs and employees. Alberta’s universities, colleges and polytechnics educate and train the innovators and leaders who will ensure the continued success of the province’s key sectors and establish the industries of the future. Maintaining the quality of this sector is critical.

The funding model that is developed must build on well-established system strengths and not generate unhealthy competition among Alberta post-secondary institutions. Throughout its history, Alberta has supported the development of one of the strongest and best-differentiated post-secondary systems in the country. Albertans deserve a funding model that protects this investment.

Planning must also take into the consideration recent cuts made to post-secondary funding, including the removal of $117 million in 2019, representing a 5 percent reduction of the Campus Alberta Grant, and the elimination of capital maintenance funding retroactively. Further reductions to the grant are anticipated to reach 20% over a four-year period and relaxed tuition caps will naturally result in an increase of the percentage of system funding that comes from non-government sources.

Throughout this uncertain and complex process, COPPOA will honour the academic commitments made to students. We will continue to work together to find ways to reduce administrative spending, to grow enrolment, reduce overall costs on a per-student basis, and  grow revenue from a wide variety of sources while keeping a strong commitment to the core mission of each institution. As we work together with the Government of Alberta and our stakeholders, COPPOA will remain steadfastly committed to building and sustaining the best possible post-secondary education system for Alberta.

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For more information or media enquiries contact info@coppoa.ca or call 1780 492 9093

COPPOA’s 26 member organizations are all publicly supported post-secondary institutions that operate in the province of Alberta. For more information about COPPOA please visit our web site at www.coppoa.ca