State Higher Education Governance Needs An Overhaul

Effective higher education governance systems are critical components of a state’s capacity to achieve long-term goals. State structures for postsecondary coordination and governance, however, remain restricted by statutory mandates from earlier times and by allegiance to activities out-of-step with current needs.

A new report from Education Commission of the States and the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, State Policy Leadership for the Future: History of state coordination and governance and alternatives for the future, highlights how states have revisited their governance arrangements in response to changing conditions and expectations.

“State governance systems often influence how decisions are made and by whom with respect to higher education policies and practices,” said Mary Fulton, senior project manager/policy analyst. “This resource helps policy leaders consider how governance structures may need to evolve to advance their state’s education and workforce priorities.”

The report, authored by Dr. Aims McGuinness, reviews the development of states’ role in higher education using six functions as an organizing framework: state-level planning; finance policy; use of information; regulation; administration/service agency functions; and system and institutional governance. The paper then outlines a way forward in shaping the key components of state higher education structures and policy leadership for the future.

Some key takeaways from this report:

• Nearly every state will need to revise its postsecondary governance system to increase educational attainment and prepare citizens for the workforce.
• States also will need a policy leadership process for gaining consensus around long-term goals and entities that can carry out the related strategies.
• Creating governance systems for the future is doable provided state leaders recognize the consequences of not acting.

For questions, contact Education Commission of the States Communications Director Amy Skinner at askinner@ecs.org or (303) 299.3609.