Public Higher Education Performance Accountability Framework Report: Goal--Contributions to Economic, Civic, and Social Development Measure--Policy Options. Commission Report 07-27

The California Postsecondary Education Commission recently adopted three reports dealing with postsecondary education and the economy, as part of its Higher Education Performance and Accountability Framework. The reports examined three specific measures: (1) Educational attainment of the population; (2) Links between degree attainment and earnings; and (3) Match between degrees awarded and labor market demand. These papers were discussed by the Commission, its staff, and the Commission's Statutory Advisory Committee representing all the postsecondary education segments. The purpose of this paper is to suggest policy options worthy of further exploration based on previous papers and ensuing discussions. This item reviews what the Commission has learned about the alignment between degree production and California's demand for an educated workforce. It offers a series of options for state colleges and universities to increase enrollment and degree production. It also offers an option for policymakers to consider encouraging increased degree production in specific fields of high state priority but for which there are shortages of qualified workers.