Creating Choice in California Higher Education: A Proposed Voucher Program

The  state  of  California  currently  has  a  monopoly  on  the  provision  of  higher  education  that is  directly  subsidized  by  state taxpayers.  This proposal suggests that California abandon the single provider approach and offers a choice or voucher program as  a  substitute.   The  purpose  of  proposing  such  a  dramatic  change  is  not  necessarily  intended  to  bring  about  a  shift  in  policy.The paper, instead, uses the voucher proposal as a vehicle to ask:  what is the state’s interest in supporting  higher education with taxpayer dollars and how can it most efficiently pursue that  interest?