The state of the art of state-level academic program review is presented. The growth of state agency reviews and three types of state coordinating agencies are discussed. The relation of program review to budget review and planning is outlined, and a description is provided of what programs are reviewed, the criteria for reviewing new programs,…

Higher education evaluation practices in seven states were assessed. Consolidated governing boards were present in Florida, Idaho, and West Virginia, while coordinating boards were present in Alabama, Colorado, and South Carolina. Washington State had an advisory board. For each state, a background paper on the state system was prepared by a…

The processes and effects of state performance audits of postsecondary academic programs are illustrated by case studies in Wisconsin and Virginia. Main problems are: the difficulty of establishing legislative intent; lack of appropriate performance indicators, measures, and standards, and issues of timeliness and impact. (MLW)