Proper ed debate requires accuracy

English author and humorist Douglas Adams wrote that "nothing travels faster than the speed of light with the possible exception of bad news, which obeys its own special laws." Perhaps if Adams had studied American government he might have replaced "bad news" with "bad information."

This past year, the Utah System of Higher Education was surprised by statements that Utah led the nation in per capita spending on higher education. This inaccuracy pops up in the most unexpected places — including the Utah Legislature, executive branch publications, newspapers and the Utah Taxpayers Association.

The inaccuracy arises from the misapplication of data compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau. In a financial section of its Web site, the Census Bureau attempts to standardize state spending across all 50 states by pulling data from financial reports. The Census Bureau reported Utah spent $2.1 billion in "state and local tax funds" on higher education in FY 2002 — a truly remarkable number that would total more than half of all state tax funds for that fiscal year. In fact, state tax funds spent on higher education for FY 2002 totaled $583 million — less than one-third of what the bureau reported.

States are unique entities — all 50 states report finances differently, and the Census Bureau recorded all spending in higher education, including federal funds and the University Hospital. Using the Census Bureau report, both Governing Magazine and Congressional Quarterly reported that Utah leads the nation in per capita spending for higher education.

Unfortunately, each journal failed to account for the differences in reporting prior to publication. Actually, much more accurate data is already available from the State Higher Education Executives Organization. Its data, found at www.higheredinfo.org, shows that Utah ranks 20th in per capita spending at $258 per Utahn. The reality for Utah is that the budget cuts of 2002 and 2003, combined with shifting priorities, means that students must fund a bigger share of their education. Moreover, in the last 10 years, state tax funds for higher education fell by $565 per student (inflation adjusted), leaving Utah 40th in terms of available revenue per student. During the same time period, higher education's share of the state budget fell from nearly 18 percent to a little more than 13 percent.

We acknowledge that there are many pressing needs in Utah and that balancing the budget is no simple task. But the process is not aided by bad information that implies more financial support than is the case. The debate over resources must begin with valid and reliable information. We believe that the real debate should be directed to how Utah will advance its economic future. Our view is that Utah's economic future depends on quality education from the time a citizen enters kindergarten until he or she graduates from college.

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Richard E. Kendell is Utah's commissioner of higher education.