Systems to periodically evaluate the performance of K-12 schools are, broadly speaking, of two kinds: "inspection," the paradigm of England's OFSTED (Office for Standards in Education); and "accreditation," originally developed nearly a century ago by what are now the U.S. regional accreditation agencies. In the past decade…

In Design and Technology lessons English primary school pupils between the ages of 5 and 11 learn to design and make artefacts with materials and tools. Teachers, mainly non-specialists, are expected to teach specific skills, knowledge and understanding in contexts which are deemed to be meaningful to the pupils. In 1996 a set of primary school…

The problems of deferred maintenance and decaying campus infrastructure have troubled higher education for the past two decades. This book, designed to be a tool for facilities managers, describes a process for inspecting and reporting conditions of buildings and infrastructure. The audit process is meant to be a routine part of maintenance…

EStablished in 1980 to help improve management effectiveness, the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Inspector General (OIG) is responsible for audit, investigative, fraud detection and prevention, and some security services for the Department. In this document--its first semi-annual report--the OIG first describes its organizational…

This first in a series of seven modules for a course titled Nondestructive Examination (NDE) Techniques I describes visual examination as an independent inspection activity. The module follows a typical format that includes the following sections: (1) introduction, (2) module prerequisites, (3) objectives, (4) notes to instructor/student, (5)…

This second in a series of ten modules for a course titled Welding Inspection describes the key features of the oxyacetylene and shielded metal arc welding process. The apparatus, process techniques, procedures, applications, associated defects, and inspections are presented. The module follows a typical format that includes the following…

This third in a series of ten modules for a course titled Welding Inspection presents the apparatus, process techniques, procedures, applications, associated defects, and inspection for the tungsten inert gas, metal inert gas, and submerged arc welding processes. The module follows a typical format that includes the following sections: (1)…

This seventh in a series of ten modules for a course titled Welding Inspection describes how to determine what inspection is required for a given weld, when the inspection should be performed, and what acceptance standards apply. The module follows a typical format that includes the following sections: (1) introduction, (2) module prerequisites,…

This eighth in a series of ten modules for a course titled Welding Inspection describes controls necessary to place the proper electrode or rod at each welding station. More specifically, the module describes use of the American Welding Society specifications, control of weld filler material after receipt from the supplier, and methods of ensuring…

This first in a series of six modules for a course titled Civil/Structural Inspection describes engineering and construction activities associated with the construction of a nuclear power plant. In addition, the module describes the equipment and materials used and some of the inspection operations which may be performed by the quality…

This third in a series of six modules for a course titled Civil/Structural Inspection deals with concrete component materials and discusses their properties, methods of handling and storage, selection, uniformity, and methods of acceptance. The module follows a typical format that includes the following sections: (1) introduction, (2) module…

This fourth in a series of six modules for a course titled Civil/Structural Inspection describes concrete preparation, production, placement, and finishing. The module follows a typical format that includes the following sections: (1) introduction, (2) module prerequisites, (3) objectives, (4) notes to instructor/student, (5) subject matter, (6)…

This fifth in a series of six modules for a course titled Civil/Structural Inspection introduces various test methods and equipment associated with concrete testing and provides a practical background for the actual inspection of the associated construction activities. The module follows a typical format that includes the following sections: (1)…

This second in a series of eight modules for a course titled Mechanical Inspection describes typical pump functional tests which are performed after pump installation and prior to release of the plant for unrestricted power operation. The module follows a typical format that includes the following sections: (1) introduction, (2) module…

This seventh in a series of eight modules for a course titled Mechanical Inspection is devoted to the design and fabrication of the reactor pressure vessel. The module follows a typical format that includes the following sections: (1) introduction, (2) module prerequisites, (3) objectives, (4) notes to instructor/student, (5) subject matter, (6)…