This article in The Conversation explores the unintended consequences of performance-based funding in higher education.  What it discovers after 39 states have implemented in whole or part is this–not much good or bad happens. Makes one wonder what the hidden agenda is behind this?  Is this just another way to bring the university political power base to heel?

Not sure, but it would seem to me that if you are going to consider such a major policy decision, one that appears to move the bubble almost nowhere, that you must prove it is effective, a game that is worth the candle.  This article suggests that it isn’t worth it. In fact it might simply be another set of rules to be gamed. Worse, performance-based funding will have unintended consequences that likely work against poor students getting to even play the game.

 

Source: Fewer poor students are being enrolled in state universities. Here’s why