The purpose of this report is to analyze a new higher education policy adoped by the Dominican Republic in Decree 1255 of 1983, "Regulations for Private Higher Education." Geographical, historical, and political characteristics of the Dominican Republic are described, and theoretical and methodological considerations in the study of public policy are briefly reviewed. Consideration is given to major factors that led to the adoption of the policy, which initiated governmental regulation of private higher education. The report gives an analysis of Decree 1255 of 1983 and explains the content and requirements of the new law. It also discusses the discrepancies between the proposed and the promulgated decree; for example, the proposed decree required that 75% of the student body and a majority of the members of the governing boards be Dominicans. The actual decree requires that 66% of the student body and 75% of the governing boards be Dominicans. The new law also allows the government to control the expansion of private institutions and to assure the quality of their education. The decree also created the National Council of Higher Education which regulates planning and quality and serves as an advisory agency. It is concluded tha Decree 1255 of 1983 is not consistent with the goal of coordinating the higher education system of the nation in order to make it more responsive to the general planning of the country. (RB)