HB3220 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB097 03216 NHT 43253 b

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB3220

Introduced 2/24/2011, by Rep. Robert W. Pritchard - Sandra M. Pihos

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Accountability in Higher Education Act. Requires public universities in this State to develop annual academic, financial, and enrollment plans that outline (i) tuition and fee estimates, (ii) enrollment projections, (iii) retention policies and projections, and (iv) accepting a number of accountability measures, including meeting benchmarks related to accessibility and affordability. Requires public universities to commit themselves formally to meeting specified State policy objectives, in conjunction with the goals set forth in the Illinois Public Agenda for College and Career Success. Requires the Board of Higher Education to be responsible for developing performance indicators to measure whether public universities in this State are meeting State policy objectives, in conjunction with the goals set forth in the Illinois Public Agenda for College and Career Success. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Accountability in Higher Education Act.

Section 5. Annual plans.

(a) Public universities in this State shall develop annual academic, financial, and enrollment plans that outline all of the following:

(1) Tuition and fee estimates.

(2) Enrollment projections.

(3) Retention policies and projections.

(4) Accepting a number of accountability measures, including meeting benchmarks related to accessibility and affordability.

(b) These plans must be submitted to the Board of Higher Education no later than June 30th of each year and must be reviewed by the Board for recommendations to be made each year at one of the Board's regularly scheduled meetings.

Section 10. State policy objectives. Public universities in this State must commit themselves formally to meeting the following State policy objectives, in conjunction with the goals set forth in the Illinois Public Agenda for College and Career Success:

(1) Providing access to higher education, including meeting enrollment demand.

(2) Providing a broad range of academic programs.

(3) Maintaining high academic standards.

(4) Improving student retention and progress toward timely graduation.

(5) Developing uniform articulation agreements with public community colleges.

(6) Stimulating economic development.

(7) If appropriate, increasing externally funded research and improving technology transfer.

(8) Actively working with grades kindergarten through 12 to improve student achievement.

(9) Meeting financial and administrative management standards.

(10) Making enrollment affordable, regardless of income.

Section 15. Performance indicators. The Board of Higher Education shall be responsible for developing performance indicators to measure whether public universities in this State are meeting State policy objectives under Section 10 of this Act, in conjunction with the goals set forth in the Illinois Public Agenda for College and Career Success.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.