Accreditation is a critical tool for quality assurance and accountability for higher education, signaling an institution's commitment to academic quality and fiscal integrity. The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) published this statement to help board…

In April 2021, New America's Open Technology Institute (OTI) and the Philanthropication thru Privatization Project (PtP) released a joint proposal that the federal government should invest a substantial portion of the windfall proceeds from future auctions of public airwaves (spectrum) to seed a new Digital Equity Foundation dedicated to…

The Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI) is a bit like the underdog candidate who wins the election when few think it possible. "Now what?" is the question facing the surprised victor. With an initial agreement for the Common Core State Standards to be developed, and visible progress toward their development and promulgation, what will…

This article presents an analysis of two major reports discussing the current crisis in STEM education. Both the National Science Board (NSB) and the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) reported alarming facts and figures about the United States' position in the global knowledge economy. The U.S. is no longer…

We explain in this article the need for board training in rural America irrespective of industry or government sector. We discuss how an assessment of training needs has led to the launch of a new project called the National Board Basics Curriculum (NBBC) project. In this project, we have identified four key core competencies that every board…

Seven small private colleges in three states have found a way to reduce their administrative technology costs and expand their technological capability at the same time. They have done it by choosing the common-sense, yet unconventional, college and university strategy of genuine collaboration. The result, the Independent College Enterprise (ICE),…

The New York State Regents Action Plan dramatically changes educational reform initiatives by requiring districts to sign a written contract specifying criteria for program, performance and fiscal accountability. Districts are required at the end of the school year to provide a written explanation as to whether or not the goals were achieved. On…

This annual report describes the goals and activities of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB). The AGB is dedicated to strengthening the performance of boards of public and independent colleges and universities and to advancing the practice of citizen trusteeship that distinguishes U.S. higher education. This…

This issue examines the problems and issues that affect students in the first year of college and reviews current institutional efforts to enhance the learning and retention of first-year students. It also offers a set of suggestions for trustees who seek greater understanding and more active engagement in campus decisions related to the first…

Serious but sustained institutional planning can be of help to any institution preparing for the challenges of the next two decades. A planning model at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences is described. (MLW)

Describes the development and outcomes of the American Association of Community and Junior College's Building Better Boards Project, which was designed to strengthen the skills of citizen boards of nonprofit organizations by establishing board development/leadership programs at community colleges nationwide. (DMM)

A capital campaign to build facilities for a new nursing division at Aurora College is described. Three suggestions are provided: draw up a detailed plan, there is no substitute for personal contact, and hard work is essential. (MLW)

Successful techniques for administering alumni associations are described, including a live mascot (University of Redlands, California, bulldog), ethical/social focus reflecting institutional mission (University of Notre Dame, Illinois), humorous gifts for board members resulting in high attendance and participation (University of Idaho), and…

The Board of the State of Florida attempts to discharge their obligations and meet the challenge of the decade by: (1) insuring planning diversity through development of a new master plan called CODE (COmprehensive DEvelopment Plan), follow-up professional studies, and by planning for economy and equality; (2) expanding and improving educational…

An in-depth study of teacher centers in Alaska, Montana, Oregon, Idaho, and Washington was conducted. The purpose of the study was to document similarities and differences in approaches, development, successes, and failures and to share collective experiences. This book is divided into three sections. The first section presents descriptive…