Kansas Higher Education Data System (KHEDS)

In 1999, major changes were made to the structure of postsecondary education in Kansas when the Kansas Legislature passed the Kansas Higher Education Coordination Act. This legislation gave the Board of Regents the powers and duties of higher education coordination. In addition to governing authority over the state universities, the Board was given coordinating authority over the community colleges, technical colleges, and the municipal university. As part of the additional responsibilities, the Kansas Board of Regents was given the responsibility for coordinating the federal Integrated Postsecondary Educational Data System (IPEDS) surveys for all postsecondary education institutions in Kansas, including private institutions.

The Kansas Higher Education Coordination Act included a mandate for a Postsecondary Database. Specifically, K.S.A. 74-3205d charges the Board with the responsibility to "collect and analyze data and maintain a uniform postsecondary education data base."

Other references to data collection and analysis activities in the Kansas Higher Education Coordination Act include the following:

"Conduct continuous studies of ways to maximize the utilization of resources available for higher education in Kansas and initiate action for improvement." (K.S.A. 74-3202c (11))

"Conduct continuous studies of how state policies affect higher education and how Kansas economic and demographic trends impact upon accessibility and affordability of postsecondary education to Kansas residents, and initiate ways to improve such accessibility and affordability." (K.S.A. 74-3202c (12))

"Compile and coordinate core indicators of quality performance for postsecondary educational institutions." (K.S.A. 74-3205d (5))

"Coordinate a state system interface with the municipal university and with private colleges and universities." (K.S.A. 74-3205d (7))

"Develop and implement a comprehensive plan for the utilization of distance learning technologies." (K.S.A. 74-3202c (b)(9))

In response to the Kansas Higher Education Coordination Act, the Kansas Board of Regents developed the Kansas Postsecondary Database (KSPSD) to collect student data as well as the Business Training and Enrichment student data collection, Program Inventory (PI), Course Inventory (CI) and Courses within Programs (CWPs). Together these collections are referred to as the Kansas Higher Education Data System (KHEDS). KHEDS supports informed decision-making through the collection, analysis, and reporting of postsecondary education in Kansas.

Other Enabling Legislation

Funding for Community Colleges and Technical Colleges

Senate Bill No. 143 (SB 143), sections 1 though 10 of which create the Postsecondary Tiered Technical Education State Aid Act, took effect on July 1, 2011. Section 4 of SB 143 states, "In accordance with deadlines established and published by the state board of regents, the chief administrative officer of each eligible institution shall certify under oath to the state board any information the state board deems necessary to carry out [the Postsecondary Tiered Technical Education State Aid Act] in such form as required by the state board."

Additionally, Section 11 of SB 143 and K.S.A. 71-603 require certification of credit hours of resident students for purposes of non-tiered credit hour funding and authorize the Kansas Board of Regents to require technical colleges (SB 143) and community colleges (K.S.A. 71-603) "to furnish any additional information deemed necessary by it to carry out the provisions of [those acts, and to] prescribe such forms and policies as may be necessary for making such reports."

July 1, 2012 was the effective date of 2012 SB 155 which included amendments to K.S.A. 72-4417. Included within this law is the following provision (see K.S.A. 72-4417 (c ) (2)):

"Each school year, to the extent there are sufficient moneys appropriated to the career technical education secondary program, the state board of regents shall distribute state funds to community colleges, technical colleges and the Washburn institute of technology for the cost associated with secondary students enrolled in postsecondary career technical education programs as determined by the state board of regents."

Washburn University

K.S.A. 72-6504 requires the "president and treasurer" of Washburn University to certify "the total number of duly enrolled credit hours of students of the university during the current term who meet the state residence requirements" for the purpose of determining state aid to Washburn University. In addition, K.S.A. 72-6504 grants the Kansas Board of Regents the authority to require Washburn University "to furnish any additional information deemed necessary by it to carry out the provisions of this act."

Perkins

K.S.A. 72-4408, which statutorily accepts the provisions and benefits of the Carl D. Perkins career and technical act of 2006, designates the Kansas Board of Regents as the "sole agency for supervision of the administration of the state plan for career and technical education."

Universities

K.S.A. 76-712 entrusts the Kansas Board of Regents with the control, operation, management and supervision of the state universities. Additionally, K.S.A. 76-771 gives the Board the responsibility to "identify and approve core indicators of quality performance for the state educational institutions and shall establish and implement a data management system that includes a process and format for collecting, aggregating and reporting common and institution-specific information documenting effectiveness of the institutions in meeting the role and mission thereof."