Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Harry de Boer
Author-Name-First: Harry
Author-Name-Last: de Boer
Author-Name: Ben Jongbloed
Author-Name-First: Ben
Author-Name-Last: Jongbloed
Title: Reflections on performance agreements in higher education
Abstract: In this working paper we reflect upon performance agreements in higher education (HE):
during the last decade, performance-based steering tools were introduced or reformed in
almost every higher education system. They are regarded as a promising instrument to
contribute to the achievement of high quality higher education, but in countries that have
a longer history with performance agreements (such as many U.S. and German states,
Austria, Finland and Denmark) sometimes significant changes have taken place between
generations, and we want to understand why this is. With this working paper we highlight
a number of key issues to be taken into account when the introduction or evaluation of
performance agreements is being considered. We have gathered information (from laws,
white papers, websites of governments and institutions, and expert interviews) on a
range of higher education systems alongside a general literature review. We argue policy
makers should not to copy ‘blindly’ the design and implementation of performance
agreements from other countries, as their culture, political and legal system, policy style,
size, HE system characteristics and strategic agendas are different. Nonetheless,
experiences from elsewhere are an important source for inspiration and a valuable input.
Length: 26 pages
Creation-Date: 2015
File-URL: https://ris.utwente.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/14233925
File-Format: Application/pdf
Number: 201509
Keywords: higher education funding, higher education systems, state-university relationships, meta-review, steering in higher education
Handle: RePEc:chs:wpachs:201509