The Spellings Commission report stresses that higher education must become more accountable, more transparent, and more open to the scrutiny of its stakeholders. The key word is always "accountability," to which the canonical reaction among educators is a reaffirmation of the remarkable diversity of American colleges and universities and the…

The paper proposes a metric, the research quality index (RQI), for assessing and tracking university research quality. The RQI is a composite index that encompasses the three main areas of research activity: publications, research grants and higher degree by research activity. The public availability of such an index will also facilitate…

Using data to redesign instruction is a means of increasing student achievement. Educators in Camden County (Georgia) Schools have used data from benchmark testing since 1999. They hired a commercial vendor to design a benchmark test that is administered four times a year and use the data to generate subject-area reports that can be further…

This is a document that lays out the Mission of the NY College of Osteopathic Medicine's Mission Statement, It's 13 Goals and subsequent Objectives of Learning Outcomes. Benchmarks were established for each Educational Goal and defined further in Objectives. This document represents an historic attempt by NYCOM to address it's need for complete…

Online learning is a complex undertaking that holds great potential as a teaching and learning mode that public colleges and universities may strategically employ to achieve broad institutional priorities and contribute to the attainment of national goals. The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities- (APLU) Sloan National Commission on…

We developed equivalent, alternate forms of easyCBM[R] in reading (n=20 forms) and mathematics (n=13 forms) with different skills reflective of the National Reading Panel (NRP) and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), respectively. We then took three forms to use as screening measures in the fall, winter, and spring so educators…

This study identifies a core set of geography standards and benchmarks that have been identified as exemplary and are used by a significant number of educators in the Central Region served by McREL (Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming). Specifically, the study provides a list of the knowledge and skills…

This study estimated the amount of time required to teach standards at four grade levels (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12) as compared to the time available for instruction. Teachers from four districts in Wyoming, Colorado, and North Dakota made three types of judgments regarding each benchmark within a standard: amount of time needed to teach a given…

Provides survey data from 55 large, multinational companies on outsourcing, training expenditures, learning technologies, delivery systems, and performance evaluation. Notes an increase in outsourcing, centralized training, classroom delivery, and use of the Internet. (JOW)

After a brief discussion about the evolution and status of the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), summarizes some of what has been learned so far about the engagement patterns of different groups of students and some of the questions and challenges the NSSE results raise. (EV)

From reporting structure to staffing, internship and co-op professionals share "inside" information about their experiential programs and personnel in response to a survey. (GCP)

Describes the evaluation of four relational database management systems (RDBMSs) (Informix Turbo, Oracle 6.0 TPS, Unify 2000 and Relational Technology's Ingres 5.0) to determine which is best suited for library automation. The evaluation criteria used to develop a benchmark specifically designed to test RDBMSs for libraries are discussed. (CLB)

Examines traditional numerical methods of future space-needs projections and allocations and presents an approach based on space-per-faculty-member projections. Presents results of a unique national space-benchmarking study covering data on space-per-faculty-member projections in nine Research I universities. (GR)

Explains the need to establish a national system of standards for public libraries. Discusses local standards, state standards, and international standards, and suggests adopting a tiered approach including three levels: minimum standards; target standards; and benchmarking standards, as found in total quality management. (LRW)

Discusses what benchmarking is and reflects on the importance and development of benchmarking in universities on a national and international level. Offers examples of transnational benchmarking activities, including the International Benchmarking Club, in which South African higher education institutions participate. (EV)