HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP:
Statement of the Higher Education Partnership on the Recent Filings by the Universities in the Supreme Court - May 16, 2001

A SIMPLE OBJECTIVE

With the Proration Lawsuit reaching its final stages in the Alabama Supreme Court, confusion is rampant. The recent filings for lawyers representing Alabama's public universities have generated great debate. Most of these responses have been based on reactions that were missing the "real" issue.

It is not a matter of challenging the importance of K-12 education. It is a matter of having to answer the argument being made by K-12's lawyers. After all it is only common sense that an argument unanswered is an argument lost.

What is the rationale for the challenge? It is simple. The universities believe that all of the state's citizens deserve a quality public education at every level of education provided by the state. The universities do not believe that one component of public education should be given preferential treatment. The universities are working to see that the full-scope of educational offerings, from K to Ph.D., are available to every person, no matter their age, economic, social, cultural, ethnic or racial status. The universities have worked diligently to support equal treatment for students, teachers and support personnel at every level of education.

The equal treatment position is the premise for the legal argument. There is no desire to lessen the importance of education to the citizens of Alabama. The universities simply want to see that all of education is deemed significant.
Ideally, the outcome of this proration lawsuit will be a stronger, more comprehensive education system that supports Alabama's need to be a global economic competitor. Alabama's people deserve the best in public education at every level, K to Ph.D.

For additional information contact Gordon Stone, Higher Education Partnership, 334-832-9911.

Higher Education Partnership
PO Box 761
Montgomery, AL 36101
email:causey@higheredpartners.org


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