Evaluation part of ongoing review of all state government, state-funded entities

November 24, 2006
Contact: communications@ihets.org

As part of an ongoing performance review of state government agencies and other organizations receiving state appropriations, IHETS has issued a response to a recent Office of Management & Budget report identifying a number of areas in which they believe IHETS needs improvement.

"We thank OMB for their efforts to help us, like other state-funded agencies and offices, achieve maximum responsiveness and cost-effectiveness. Their findings are useful as IHETS continues a major organizational effort to transform and improve our operations," commented Dr. William D. Kramer, interim director.

The review is part of OMB's Government Efficiency & Financial Planning (GEFP) division, developers of a measurement instrument called "Program Results: An Outcome-Based Evaluation" commonly known as PROBE.

According to this instrument, IHETS lacks strong internal performance metrics and goals; has design flaws that reduce efficiency, and needs to improve its procedures in measuring cost-effectiveness compared to private-sector providers of similar services.

"We are incorporating the PROBE findings into four targeted work plans that are currently underway," Kramer said. "Each plan is designed to help us become more responsive to the needs of Indiana's collective higher education community, including Hoosier students."

Kramer believes several instances of misinformation or miscommunication are evident in the report, which was received at IHETS on November 9. "We found the PROBE score does not completely represent our performance or the value of the services we provide to our consortium members. In response, we submitted a rationale in support of our own assessment on specific issues along with proposed modifications to our overall score."

The IHETS response was sent to OMB November 27.

For more information, e-mail communications@ihets.org.