In an era and economy driven by knowledge and information, accountability becomes of ever increasing importance. This comprehensive and timely book will present the principles and practical guidelines for effective accountability for states, for colleges and for universities. Presenting the principles and guidelines for effective accountability for states, colleges, and universities, this book clarifies the concept of accountability and explores its reaches and limits. It offers models for each of the major approaches to accountability and analyzes their shortcomings. Preface. The Editor. The Contributors. 1. The Many Faces of Accountability (Joseph C. Burke). 2. Accountability and the Private Sector: State and Federal Perspectives (William M. Zumeta). 3. Accountability and Governance (Richard C. Richardson Jr., Thomas R. Smalling). 4. Accountability and Accreditation: Can Reforms Match Increasing Demands? (Ralph A. Wolff). 5. Can Assessment Serve Accountability? It Depends on the Question (Peter T. Ewell). 6. Standardized Testing and Accountability: Finding the Way and the Will (T. Dary Erwin). 7. Imagine Asking the Client: Using Student and Alumni Surveys for Accountability in Higher Education (George D. Kuh). 8. Academic Audit for Accountability and Improvement (William F. Massy). 9. State-by-State Report Cards: Public Purposes and Accountability for a New Century (Patrick M. Callan, Joni E. Finney). 10. Reinventing Accountability: From Bureaucratic Rules to Performance Results (Joseph C. Burke). 11. Resources and Reputation in Higher Education: Double, Double, Toil and Trouble (J. Fredericks Volkwein, Stephen D. Grunig). 12. The Dog That Doesn’t Bark: Why Markets Neither Limit Prices nor Promote Educational Quality (Robert M. Zemsky). 13. The Three Corners of the Accountability Triangle: Serving All, Submitting to None (Joseph C. Burke). References. Name Index. Subject Index.