Download a printable PDF version of the 2008 Public Agenda (PDF, 346k)
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education: 2008 Public Agenda
Access and Quality: The Pathway to Improving Our Future by Degrees
The primary goal of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education is to increase the number of successful college graduates who can compete globally and add value to our economy in Oklahoma. We are responsible for providing our graduates with the ability to think critically, to analyze, and to problem solve with excellent math, verbal and technological skills. Higher education is the driving force of the state’s economy. We must be willing to do all that is necessary to meet the demands of a changing economy, ensure that our graduates can meet these expectations, and be in a position to compete globally.
The Competitive Realities
Oklahoma is a comparatively small state. The number of students graduating from high school and entering college is low compared to larger states, but we are making progress in increasing the number of high school students who enter college.
Once students enter college, they are graduating in larger numbers. In fact, we have seen a 24.5 percent increase in associate and bachelor’s degrees since 2000-2001. And, the vast majority, of Oklahomans earning a bachelor’s degree (90 percent), are employed in the state one year following graduation.
These competitive realities make it essential that we take the steps necessary to ensure that all Oklahomans have access to a post-secondary degree and that the quality of the education they receive is second to none. The 2008 Public Agenda describes current efforts and new focuses that will improve our state’s ability to compete.
Our efforts to achieve our overarching goals of access and quality are strengthened by the shared 
values of our state system that emphasize accountability, responsiveness, collaboration and innovation. Reports such as the Key Indicators of Accountability, and a robust Web-based data resource are important tools for transparency and accountability. Involvement with economic and workforce development activities at all levels is crucial so that higher education can be responsive to the needs of the state. The spirit of collaboration is strong, as typified by projects such as the multi-campus degree completion program, ReachHigher, and the state cooperative alliance between career technology centers and public colleges and universities statewide.
These and other pioneering projects embody the culture of innovation that is a dynamic driver of our shared values.
