Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Governor Michael S. Steele Lt. Governor Kevin M. O’Keefe Chairman Calvin W. Burnett Secretary of Higher Education
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
SUBJECT: Managing for Results COMMITTEE: None DATE OF COMMISSION MEETING: September 27, 2006 STAFF: Michael J. Keller
SUMMARY: This item contains the FY 2008 Managing for Results report for the Maryland Higher Education Commission. This report, which is required of all State agencies and departments by law, is designed to measure the performance of the Commission and how well it is serving the citizens of Maryland. The report contains a program description, mission, goals, objectives, and quantifiable performance measures for the agency as a whole and each budgeted program. RECOMMENDATION: This item is for information only.
MARYLAND HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION 839 Bestgate Rd • Suite 400 • Annapolis, MD 21401-3013 T 410.260.4500 • 800.974.0203 • F 410.260.3200 • TTY for the Deaf 800.735.2258 www.mhec.state.md.us
Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Governor Michael S. Steele Lt. Governor Kevin M. O’Keefe Chairman Calvin W. Burnett Secretary of Higher Education
MEMORANDUM
DATE: TO: FROM:
September 27, 2006 Maryland Higher Education Commission Calvin W. Burnett STAFF: Michael J. Keller
SUBJECT: Managing for Results
Maryland has established a process called Managing for Results (MFR), which is designed to measure the performance of State agencies and departments and to identify how well they are serving citizens. Participation is mandated by State law for all State-funded entities, and the results are an integral part of the strategic budgeting process and budgetary decision making by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the General Assembly. Each agency or department must submit an annual MFR report to DBM. This report must provide the following information for the agency as a whole and for each of its budgeted programs: • • • • • Program Description – a brief statement of what a program does. Mission – A short comprehensive statement of the reason for a program’s existence. Goals – The general ends toward which a program directs its efforts. Objectives – Specific and measurable targets toward the accomplishment of a goal Performance Measures – Quantifiable indicators that let a program know if it is meeting its goals and objectives.
This information represents the heart of the MFR report, and it appears in the Governor’s budget books. Agencies are expected to ensure that the missions, goals and objectives are aligned with the Five Pillars of the Ehrlich-Steele administration as applicable. Agencies also are asked to prepare a narrative about their program performance. This analysis, which is not published but is used by DBM as an important part of its assessment of agency programs, must provide explanations for performance that surpasses, meets, or fails to achieve targets for outcomes and service delivery.
MARYLAND HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION 839 Bestgate Rd • Suite 400 • Annapolis, MD 21401-3013 T 410.260.4500 • 800.974.0203 • F 410.260.3200 • TTY for the Deaf 800.735.2258 www.mhec.state.md.us
Accompanying this memorandum is the FY 2008 MFR report submitted by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. There are separate sets of program descriptions, goals, objectives, and performance measures for the Commission’s budgeted programs: General Administration, College Preparation Intervention Program, Sellinger Program, Cade Funding Formula, Aid to Community Colleges Fringe Benefits, Educational Grants, Private Donation Incentive Grants, Nurse Support Program II, and each of the 16 student financial aid programs administered by the agency. The goals in the General Administration section of the MFR are tied to those in the 2004 Maryland State Plan for Postsecondary Education. The examination of the agency’s program performance is examined in the context of these goals, as they provide the framework for the activities of the Commission staff. This approach is desired by DBM, which has requested that the General Administration section of the Commission’s MFR report serve as the equivalent of a “report card” for postsecondary education statewide. DBM has selected six of the Commission’s MFR objectives in the General Administration section for inclusion in the State Comprehensive Plan: • • • • • • The six-year graduation rate of first-time, full-time students at public four-year colleges and universities. The percentage of bachelor’s degrees awarded to racial/ethnic minorities at Maryland colleges and universities. The percentage of Maryland teacher candidates who pass Praxis II. The number of community college students who transfer to a Maryland four-year institution. The number of graduates from nursing programs in Maryland. The number of teacher candidates prepared by Maryland colleges and universities.
The MFR report is important in the review of agency budgets by DBM and the General Assembly, and the enterprise has required an increasing amount of work for the staff and particularly the Offices of Policy Analysis and Research and Student Financial Assistance. Accordingly, the staff has initiated the practice of sharing its annual MFR report with the Commission. RECOMMENDATION: This item is for information only.