This report constructs a model public agenda to address the mounting challenges facing California higher education. It is intended to inspire broad discussion potentially leading to an official public agenda for California higher education. The report describes some of the structural barriers that are preventing more dramatic progress in meeting California's needs. The model public agenda envisions region-based planning and heightened collaboration at the regional level, guided by effective state-level policy leadership. (A list of resources is included.) [For accompanying reports, "State Policy Leadership in Higher Education: Six Case Studies," see ED574483 and "Average Won't Do: Performance Trends in California Higher Education as a Foundation for Action," see ED574485.]