Employing a theoretical framework derived from the policy innovation and diffusion literature, this research examines how variations over time across state sociopolitical systems influence states’ adoption of accountability policies in higher education. Specifically, factors influencing three kinds performance-accountability for public education period 1979–2002 were investigated. Findings event history analysis supported authors’ original hypotheses only part; primary drivers legislative...

Social scientists and policymakers have long been interested in equality of opportunity to pursue postsecondary education. This research focused on one aspect that issue, the relationships between high school graduates' personal characteristics (ability, achievements, expectations, socioeconomic status, raceethnicity, gender) nature institutions they attend. Based national data for college attenders from class 1980, findings suggest nonacademic factors, particularly background, affected...

A multiple regression analysis using a large, natianally representative sample of college freshmen 1975 suggests that educationally relevant factors have greater power in explaining the nature destinations than ascriptive or socioeconomic backgroundfactors, but latter still play significant role, net educationalfactors. Specifically, it appears both academically and socioeconomically rich become richer (i.e., attend schools having superior intellectual material resources) while poor poorer....

Despite real growth in total appropriations of state tax funds for postsecondary operating expenses, investment higher education has substantially declined recent years relative to changes enrollment, wealth, and the institutional budgets. What factors are associated with over time? In this paper, we report results a longitudinal analysis funding effort education. Using panel data set fixed-effects that conducted on drivers from 1984 2004, find population, enrollment patterns, economic...

The test-optional movement in the United States emerged largely response to criticism of standardized admissions tests as inadequate and potentially biased measures postsecondary promise. Although anecdotal reports suggest that policies have improved campus diversity, empirical research has not yet confirmed this claim. Consequently, study employs quasi-experimental techniques assess relationship between policy implementation subsequent growth proportion low-income minority students...

This article examines the emergence of innovative policies in public postsecondary education systems. The findings, based on an analysis recent data, suggest that states' governance structures have influences innovation are independent other social, educational, and economic factors included model. For example, states with relatively centralized arrangements were found to be more likely than impose mandatory student assessment. policy implications these findings discussed.

Click to increase image sizeClick decrease size Additional informationNotes on contributorsJames C. HearnJames Hearn is associate professor of higher education at the University Minnesota. David Longanecker executive director Minnesota Higher Education Coordinating Board.David LonganeckerJames Board.

In this article, we report the results of an analysis legislatively enacted reforms in state governance higher education from 1985–2000. Building on policy innovation and diffusion literature, develop a new explanation for change, which term "political instability hypothesis." Using event history analysis, then examine proposition that reform is driven more by changes macropolitical landscape states than economic climates or conditions within public systems. Our reveals strong support...

Relatively few students in selective colleges come from disadvantaged backgrounds, so the rewards of attending such schools go mainly to those already advantaged birth. There is substantial variation colleges’ socioeconomic composition, however. Some private institutions proportionately enroll five times as many lower-SES others. What drives this variation? Longitudinal analyses presented here suggest that, all other factors being equal, that are historically embedded elite status maintain...

Numerous observers and critics of higher education, including some policymakers, have suggested that hiring maintaining faculty on tenure lines is a primary source inefficiency in colleges universities. These "disrupters" argue reducing commitments to will lead cost savings more effective adaptations changing markets for various degrees. Does increasing "contingent" (non-tenure-line) indeed bring financial benefits? In this analysis, we use longitudinal data examine hypothesis financially...

With more attention on productivity in higher education has come a need for improved conceptualizations and policies relating to faculty salaries. Focusing research universities, this essay examines historical patterns salaries, recent evidence the tenuous connections between salaries performance, some thoughts role of effective academic reward systems. The essay's goal is help leaders craft salary that improve their institutions.

Part One: Hard Times 1. Common Lessons from 2. Sources of Stress 3. Impact Two: Searching for Solutions 4. Mission and Organization 5. Decisions Conflict 6. Teaching Learning in a New Era Three: Wise Moves 7. Analyzing the Institution's Condition 8. Triage 9. Strategy Realism: Promoting Enlightened Change 10. Resilience Fiscal 11. Unfinished Business

High school classes were assigned to five types using the Holland typology, and climates assessed Classroom Environment Scale. Results for most part supported descriptive propositions of Holland’s classification. For example, Investigative such as mathematics science tended emphasize task orientation teacher control but de-emphasize involvement, affiliation, innovation. However there some surprises, hexagonal model similarity between received only weak support.

Implementing an incentives-based budget system at a large public research university significantly redirected internal funds while producing notable organizational and financial surprises. For example, units did not increase their "hoarding" of students, contrary to some expectations. The findings point several issues for further analysis research.

We propose that, in their choices and evaluations of major departments, all students react positively to supportive internal organizationalfeatures rewarding links the external socio-economic system. also propose, however, that men women attach differing weights features selecting reacting organizationally, favorable characteristics will rarely be coincident with characteristics. In our analysis public university seniors it was found, as expected, confronted an array departments which...