Understanding Performance Funding Through Organizational Theory: A Comparative Analysis

• In Event: Roundtable Session 24
  In Roundtable Session: Impacts of Finance Policy on Educational Quality

Abstract

This paper applies an organizational theory framework to analyze higher education performance funding models in seven states, which have incorporated performance funding into their appropriations rather than supplemental funding: Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Performance funding models were born several decades ago from the desire to improve college and university outcomes. This paper compares and contrasts different performance funding models to foment discussion between higher education stakeholders about performance funding’s benefits and potential pitfalls.

Authors

• Mark Umbricht, The Pennsylvania State University

• Frank Joseph Fernandez, The Pennsylvania State University - University Park

• Justin C. Ortagus, The Pennsylvania State University - University Park