Higher Education Policy - The environment

Original Article

In the US, federal government do not have direct authority over institutions. ...There are, however, oppotunities that governments can exploit to build accountability checks.

In the US, federal government do not have direct authority over institutions. Federal government do recognize accreditation agencies. But, again, do not have direct authority on them. State governments have various degree of control on institutions operated inside it's boundaries. - check to see if there are more detailed info on how much control each state government have on private institutions. Adding the free atomsphere of US higher education institutions to the limited control of governments, there are, practically no effective way of regulating US higher education institutions.

An environment like this is approaching that of self-governing and is the source of irresponsibility. The lack of responsbilities had cost higher education system their reputation and result in calls for higher education reform. The environment also responsible for the high college cost of today.

As of today, the free enterprise spirits are still exist and are likely to continue. It is not likely, governments will resort to brute force to force changes. There are, however, oppotunities that governments can exploit to build accountability checks. These oppotunities include public's cry for lower college cost and public's call for accountability. The other oppotunity is raising of the for-profit institutions. The raising of the for-profit institution put pressure on traditional institions in terms of effeciency and force traditional institution to change how they operate.