Higher education institutions in general are facing an increasing number of challenges that are forcing them to reexamine how they are accountable to external demands as well as how to improve internal accountability. Due to rising public accountability pressures and strains on fiscal resources, many legislators have begun to demand information that can be directly linked to academic outcomes. As a result, these institutions are faced with requirements to provide accurate data and information around a growing number of issues and outcomes (Wells, Silk & Torres, 1999).
Higher education institutions in general are facing an increasing number of challenges that are forcing them to reexamine how they are accountable to external demands as well as how to improve internal accountability. Due to rising public accountability pressures and strains on fiscal resources, many legislators have begun to demand information that can be directly linked to academic outcomes. As a result, these institutions are faced with requirements to provide accurate data and information around a growing number of issues and outcomes (Wells, Silk & Torres, 1999).