Amid changing economic and social contexts, radical changes have occurred in public higher education policies over the past three decades. Public Policy and Higher Educationprovides readers with new ways to analyze these complex state policies and offers the tools to examine how policies affect students’ access and success in college. Rather than arguing for a single approach, the authors examine how policymakers and higher education administrators can work to inform and influence change within systems of higher education using research-based evidence along with consideration of political and historical values and beliefs. Special Features: Case Studies—allow readers to examine strategies used by different types of colleges to improve access and retention. Reflective Exercises—encourage readers to discuss state and campus context for policy decisions and to think about the strategies used in a state or institution. Approachable Explanations—unpack complex public policies and financial strategies for readers who seek understanding of public policy in higher education. Research-Based Recommendations—explore how policymakers, higher education administrators and faculty can work together to improve quality, diversity, and financial stewardship. This textbook is an invaluable resource for graduate students, administrators, policymakers, and researchers who seek to learn more about the crucial contexts underlying policy decisions and college access.

Public Policy and Higher Education, third edition, provides readers with the tools to examine how policies affect students’ access and success in college. Rather than arguing for a single approach, the authors use research-based evidence and consider political and historical values and beliefs to examine how policymakers and higher education administrators can inform and influence change within systems of higher education. Raising new questions and examining recent developments, this fully updated edition is an invaluable resource for graduate students, administrators, policymakers, and researchers who seek to learn more about the crucial contexts underlying policy decisions and college access. This third edition includes updates across the board to reflect current policy contexts. Expanded historical frameworks allow readers to better understand the preparation, access, persistence, and the development of state education systems. New considerations of state and national political ideologies help to inform contemporary contexts. Finally, refreshed cases, including an additional case about Florida and updated cases for California, Minnesota, Indiana, and North Carolina, equip readers with new ways to analyze complex state policies and their impact on higher education. Special Features: Case Studies help readers to build their skills in analyzing how political values, beliefs, and traditions influence policy decisions and adaptations within state systems. Reflective Questions encourage readers to discuss state and campus contexts for policy decisions and to consider the strategies used in a state or institution. Approachable Explanations unpack complex public policies and financial strategies for readers who seek an understanding of public policy in higher education. Research-Based Recommendations explore how policymakers, higher education administrators, and faculty can work together to improve quality, diversity, and financial stewardship.

This volume presents transcripts of seven hearings held in May, 1991, on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965. Of the hearings held in the District of Columbia the first focused on the Pell Grant and Stafford Loan programs and featured witnesses from around the country addressing educational finance. The second hearing focused on the process of accreditation, certification and licensing that determines institutional participation in the Federal student aid programs and featured witnesses from educational institutions, and professional associations. The final hearing presented the testimony of college executives, representatives of educational associations and others on Title VI (which supports international education) and Title III (concerned with institutional aid and funding for institutional facilities). The hearings in other cities provided an opportunity for legislators to hear additional suggestions and recommendations from students, teachers, administrators, institutional executives and state agencies on the reauthorization of higher education programs. Included are the prepared statements of the witnesses as well as additional statements, correspondence and supplemental material. (JB)