Colorado Legislative Council Staff

NO FISCAL IMPACT

TITLE:            CONCERNING THE STATEWIDE GOALS UNDER THE "HIGHER EDUCATION QUALITY ASSURANCE ACT".

Summary of Assessment

            This bill revises the statewide expectations and goals under the quality indicator system for the statewide system of higher education so that the indicators used to measure performance of the institutions match the goals for the higher education system. The bill requires the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE), in cooperation with the governing boards of each institution, to establish standards within each major goal area that will allow a year-to-year comparison of each institution's progress toward achieving the specific goal instead of measuring performance against a statewide average. Standards are defined as quality benchmarks established by the Commission by which achievement of the statewide goals and expectations are measured.

            The bill requires the CCHE and the governing boards of each institution to report to the Joint Budget Committee on information received from the quality indicator system and the actions being taken or planned by the governing boards in response to the information.

            Since the reporting requirements outlined in the bill are already taking place, the bill's changes to the statewide expectations and goals under the Higher Education Quality Assurance Act will not affect the workload or expenditures of CCHE or the statewide system of higher education. Therefore, the bill is assessed as having no fiscal impact. The bill would become effective upon signature of the Governor.

Departments Contacted

            Colorado Commission on Higher Education