Oct. 28, 2004

Higher Education Accountability System Adopted by Coordinating Board

AUSTIN - The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board today formally adopted a Statewide Higher Education Accountability System called for by Gov. Rick Perry. In January, Perry issued an executive order directing university regents to set accountability standards to ensure the tax dollars colleges and universities receive are being efficiently spent and college students are receiving a quality education.

“I am pleased that the Coordinating Board has adopted a Statewide Higher Education Accountability System because I strongly believe our institutions of higher education should be held accountable to taxpayers for the billions of dollars in state funding they receive each year,” Perry said. “It is essential students and parents know they are getting a quality education for their tuition dollars.”

In his executive order, the governor directed that the boards of regents for each public institution and university system work with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in developing the accountability measures.

The Statewide Higher Education Accountability System will provide Texans with the information necessary to determine the effectiveness and quality of student education at individual institutions, and the basis upon which to evaluate the institutions’ need for additional state resources.

“The public has the right to demand complete accountability for its investment in institutions of education,” Perry said in his executive order. “Systems and institutions of higher education must be able to clearly define the need for additional state funding in a manner which will justify the public’s continued investment of resources.”