The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) has been planned as an ongoing program of assessment. The first cycle of the assessment has involved two "rounds." The first round, which is covered by this report, took place over the period of January 2008-October 2013. The main features of the first cycle of…

Defines the concept of statistical process control, a quality control method used especially in manufacturing. Generally, concept users set specific standard levels that must be met. Makes the point that although employees work directly with the method, management is responsible for its success within the plant. (CH)

Discusses six steps to follow when documenting an ISO 9000 quality system: using ISO 9000 to develop a quality system, identifying a company's business processes, analyzing the business processes; describing the procedures, writing the quality manual, and working to the documented procedures. (SR)

Computer viruses are programs that propagate themselves from disk to disk and destroy programs or information files. Several universities have recently reported virus outbreaks. Some suggestions for avoiding the viruses are provided. (MLW)

Discusses how technical communicators can measure performance, productivity, and quality goals. Discusses developing a daily management system of measures for technical communication, notes other possible measures, and discusses criteria and prediction. (SR)

The author discusses how using statistical process control can help manufacturers save money and produce a better product. He covers barriers to its implementation within an organization, focusing on training workers in the methods. (CH)

Assuring the quality of higher education in America was once a straightforward, if tedious, proposition. Audit an institution's fiscal condition, check faculty credentials, make sure that the administration isn't riding roughshod over academic freedom, see whether or not the curriculum as expressed in the catalogue is reasonably coherent, browse…

Suggests ways to minimize the risk of training failure and ensure that training accomplishes its objectives. Explains key differences to be learned in order to use the appropirate method of applying quality assurance and quality control. Examines five quality factors to be measured, including pre- and post-training testing devices. (CT)

Although subject to modification by political, funding, and popular considerations, the audit review of psychiatric facilities is seen as a useful step in providing quality care. (CM)

This publication provides a list of history standards and benchmarks embodying content that is highly valued nationally and in the Central Region states (Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming). It is intended to assist curriculum directors, social studies coordinators, and others who seek to identify…

Discusses the inaccuracies and distortions found within the Portland Baseline Essays, one of the most widespread Afrocentric teacher resource materials in use. Specific distortions examined are that ancient Egypt was a Black nation and that the achievements of ancient Greece had African origins. (GLR)

Philip Kendall's (1997) editorial encouraged authors in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (JCCP) to report effect sizes and clinical significance. The present authors assessed the influence of that editorial--and other American Psychological Association initiatives to improve statistical practices--by examining 239 JCCP articles…

Advances in electronics and computer science have enabled industries (pulp/paper, iron/steel, petroleum/chemical) to attain better control of their processes with resulting increases in quality, productivity, profitability, and compliance with government regulations. (JN)

A customer can recognise a professional institute almost immediately from the manner in which the customer is dealt with. The institute makes the customer (read student) feel special and deals with the customer as a matter of priority rather than as a secondary issue, less important than the undertaking of other activities. The customers of…

The authors discuss quality assurance for the field of adult career counseling. Topics include (1) review and improvement of programs based on changing client patterns and needs, (2) appropriate referral for clients who need psychological counseling, (3) ethical standards and consumer guidelines, and (4) counselor competence and credentialing. (CH)