Basis and challenges of the application of performance agreements in Chilean higher education

This paper analyzes the funding model used by the Chilean Ministry of Education. The model considers mechanisms to encourage the implementation or enhancement of institutional performance and the use of analysis units, both for the development of programs and projects, and the institutional management and the feeding of the Higher Educational Information System (SIES). In Chile, through the experience obtained with the Higher Education Quality and Performance Enhancement Program (MECESUP) to promote the objectives of the public policy, the Ministry of Education has created the experimental development of a new instrument for assigning resources based on results, Performance Agreements. Results indicate that they are an efficient funding instrument and, mainly, are an in centiveand a means to get important enhancements in higher education institutions and the higher education system. Experience gained with the application of these agreements, suggests, in this paper, aspects to perfect in order to provide sustainability to this instrument as a public policy, and get an integrating vision and strategy of quality enhancement in the overall work of universities.