The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) Statewide Survey delivers objective, advocacy-free information on the perceptions, opinions, and public policy preferences of California residents. PPIC invites input, comments, and suggestions from policy and public opinion experts and from its own advisory committee, but survey methods, questions,…

Greater accountability in public higher education systems is a fact of life in the current political climate. Increasingly, one form this accountability takes is performance funding, which arises from elected officials' need for assurance that taxpayer funds are not only being invested and used properly but are resulting in desired outcomes at…

American Association of State Colleges and Universities' (AASCU's) public policy agenda, rooted in an uncompromising commitment to opportunity for the nation's students, is expressed through the following core principles: (1) Higher education is a common good that provides significant benefits to individuals and society as a whole; (2) America's…

This survey was conducted with funding from The James Irvine Foundation. Its goal is to inform state policymakers, encourage discussion, and raise public awareness about Californians' opinions on issues affecting the state's public colleges and universities. It is the fifth annual PPIC (Public Policy Institute of California) Statewide Survey on…

This edition of the PPIC (Public Policy Institute of California) Statewide Survey is the fourth in a series of surveys funded by The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation focusing on higher education. This survey seeks to inform state policymakers, encourage discussion, and raise public awareness about the state's public higher education…

Independent and public institutions must work together to demonstrate the importance of higher education to national prosperity and national security. State governments must provide financial support that ensures equal opportunity and adequate salary levels and supports high-cost programs. (MLW)

State spending on higher education has risen up to 30% in some states, with much of the new money paying for technology, upgrading community colleges, and providing funds to college shortchanged previously. Only Alaska and Hawaii showed net decreases. Data on 1997-98 dollar appropriations and percentage changes for each state institution and for…

After raising tuition for a number of years, some states are trying to freeze or reduce public college tuition. These changes arise from concern about reduced enrollments and image, and it is hoped that legislatures will respond with increased appropriations. Some critics fear a compromise in educational quality. (MSE)

Recurrent education may be defined as formal education provided outside of the traditional academic context for the purposes of: (1) continuing education in professional and vocational fields; (2) part-time instruction toward an academic or vocational degree; and (3) personal or social development. In California, while state policy encourages…

The relationships between state government and private higher education are considered with emphasis on Ohio. It is noted that state colleges have received land and financial support from private sources and that there have been reciprocal arrangements of public support given to private colleges. These arrangements include different types of tax…

In addition to declining enrollments in the '80s, colleges and universities must reckon with decreased public funding, a lack of money for construction, and a possible loss of educational diversity. Public and private institutions must work "to promote better public policies." (Author/MLW)

The role of governors in higher education was studied through a 1984 survey of 70 former governors from 40 states. Attention was directed to issues such as: how often and when governors get involved in university issues, the influence of various higher education constituencies on gubernatorial decision making, gubernatorial views on private higher…

Data collected by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as part of a commentary on the important role of the states in the support and development of higher education is presented. Topics are: (1) state funds for innovation, 1960-1975; (2) methods of assisting private institutions; (3) actual and potential controls over private…

This dissertation examines performance-based funding in higher education in Alberta (Canada) using a case study that examined government funding of public higher education in that province. Six hypothesized goals for performance-based funding were developed from the literature, and relevant government documents were analyzed in terms of these…

In comparison with other countries' patterns of financing higher education, the United States stands out in its dependence on private aid because of the large private higher education sector and substantial private aid to public institutions. However, state patterns of finance vary and may find counterparts in some foreign systems. (Author/MSE)