Revisiting California Higher Education Coordination, by David E. Leveille

Accountability in postsecondary education across the nation has matured for the most part over the past five years. The same cannot be said for California. In California, the limited attention to accountability is inconsistent to the heightened focus on accountability at the national level. As a result of widespread and increasing concern about the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of California postsecondary education, its governance and the management of public postsecondary education institutions, this paper has three objectives: a)To briefly describe the state of governance with special focus on the role and responsibilities of a state postsecondary education coordinating body; b) To discuss matters associated with the state of public trust, accountability and coordination in California postsecondary education; and c), To make recommendations on what action steps are needed immediately to improve efficiency, effectiveness and accountability in the State’s stewardship of postsecondary education, particularly public colleges and universities.