Kansas

In this report, we examined five kinds of equity-focused metrics in state OBF policies to determine the extent to which states prioritize the enrollment and success of students of color and students from low-income backgrounds:

  1. Enrollment metrics for students of color
  2. Success metrics for students of color
  3. Enrollment metrics for students from low-income backgrounds
  4. Success metrics for students from low-income backgrounds
  5. Metrics related to campus racial climate

While the inclusion of these metrics in policies is essential, how they are deployed is equally as important. Therefore, we also considered whether the metrics were mandatory, optional, or weighted. Weighted metrics are the most ideal. These are mandatory and are given additional value, so strong institutional performance on a weighted metric would garner greater advantage or funding.

Two- and Four-Year Institutions

Kansas adopted outcomes-based funding in 1999. It is allocated as base funding annually.

Kansas Statute 74-3202d established performance-based funding for technical colleges, community colleges, state universities, and Washburn University. Each institution’s receipt of new state funds is contingent upon meeting goals outlined in its performance agreement. Institutions submit a performance agreement for board approval once every three years, and performance is evaluated annually.

In these performance agreements, institutions choose the metrics on which they will be measured. The metrics chosen by the institutions must be related to goals in the Kansas strategic plan for higher education. Institutions have the option to focus on students of color and students from low-income backgrounds in so far as these metrics relate to the goals in the strategic plan. While this may seem ideal for many institutions, given the autonomy and flexibility they have in choosing the metrics on which they will be measured, it is troubling that more Kansas institutions do not choose to prioritize equity.

Each institution’s agreement and metrics must include the following:

  • Increasing Higher Education Attainment
    • First- to second-year retention rates of college-ready cohort (research and comprehensive universities)
    • Three-year graduation rates of college-ready cohort (research and comprehensive universities)
    • Number of certificates and degrees awarded (community and technical colleges)
    • Student success index (community and technical colleges)
  • Meeting the Needs of the Kansas Economy
    • Performance of students on institutional assessments (research and comprehensive universities)
    • Percentage of certificates and degrees awarded in STEM fields (research and comprehensive universities)
    • Performance of students on institutional quality measures (community and technical colleges)
    • Percentage of students who are employed or transferred (community and technical colleges)
    • Wages of students hired (community and technical colleges)
    • Third-party technical credentials and WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificates, if applicable (community and technical colleges)
  • Ensuring State University Excellence
    • Selected regional and national rankings (research universities)
    • Performance on quality measures compared to peers (comprehensive universities)
    • Community and technical colleges must also include three metrics that are specific to the institution and that support Foresight 2020 (the 10-year strategic agenda), or institution-specific indicators, one of which measures a noncollege-ready student population.

This policy is unique because the state of Kansas gives institutions considerable autonomy and flexibility in choosing metrics that align with the state’s goals and each institution’s mission and role. This may be ideal for many institutions, but it is troubling that, despite this autonomy, institutions within the state are not focusing on equity. The policy does not have a campus climate metric, but states have the option of choosing metrics that focus on equity, including campus climate. In 2018, Kansas State University, Pittsburg State University, Wichita State University, Coffeyville Community College, Kansas City Kansas Community College, Flint Hills Technical College, Northwest Kansas Technical College, and Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology chose metrics focused on equity in access and/or success.

As part of its new strategic plan, Kansas is in the process of updating its performance agreement model beginning in the academic year 2021-2022, with a focus on how to best achieve equity in the state’s two- and four-year public institutions.

The policy is overseen by the Kansas Board of Regents. To learn more, visit https://www.kansasregents.org/academic_affairs/performance-agreements.

Two-Year Institutions

Enrollment of Students of Color Optional
Success of Students of Color Optional
Enrollment of Students From Low-Income Backgrounds Optional
Success of Students From Low-Income Backgrounds Optional
Measure Related to Campus Climate Optional

Four-Year Institutions

Enrollment of Students of Color Optional
Success of Students of Color Optional
Enrollment of Students From Low-Income Backgrounds Optional
Success of Students From Low-Income Backgrounds Optional
Measure Related to Campus Climate Optional

Outcomes-Based Funding Map Placeholder
Outcomes-Based Funding Map