Curriculum auditing is a quality-control process. If a course is not meeting expectations, is not serving students, or needs adjustment, the Roanoke Valley (Virginia) Governor's School for Science and Technology employs benchmarking to attain data to fix the problem or move in another direction. (MLH)

Discussion of quality control of data in online bibliographic databases focuses on authority files. Describes approximate string matching, introduces the concept of approximate word matching and clustering, and presents a case study using the Astrophysics Data System (ADS) that shows how to reduce human effort involved in authority work. (LRW)

The success of corporate instructional design projects depends on how well the practitioner performs in the field under specific circumstances. Benchmarking is one of the major business strategies for continuous improvement. A thorough inquiry into how exceptional corporate instructional designers function lends insights into the instructional…

Evaluation data about extension programs are subject to variation. Program improvement requires control of this variance. Statistical quality control charts provide a means of measuring variation, determining sources, and making modifications. (SK)

Presents a historical perspective of performance measurement, describing types of performance measures, and examining their use in municipal parks and recreation agencies, noting that more and more parks and recreation agencies are developing performance measurement plans for all divisions and units. The benefits movement (specifically, benefits…

The best learning potential lies in adapting educational software to students' needs and learning styles. Few programs provide an adaptive learning environment. Educators should realize that information is not instruction, simplicity matters, graphics should enhance content, navigational designs should work intuitively, and interactions should…

Discussion of trends in student support in higher education focuses on support services in distance education. Topics include manufacturing organizations versus service organizations; types of student services to offer; learning from service management; application of new technology; social innovation; Bates' ACTIONS model applied to student…

Offers a case study of how the English department at Mary Washington College constructed over a period of years a credible process for assessing its undergraduate major. Explains and critiques that process and the procedures the department has come to use. (TB)

Derives a connection between the quality of accreditation and education in one country and the public protection function of professional regulation in another, and highlights the critical importance of international standards for quality assurance of accreditation and education for consumer protection. The U.S. is used as a case study to outline…

During his 30 years at the University of Georgia, Theodore K. Miller established a nationally recognized graduate professional-preparation program. Miller is interviewed, and the professional influences in his life and on his role in developing quality-assurance measures for counseling and human-development programs and for student-affairs…

Discusses innovative information services, including new services and the redesign of existing services. Describes the development process, including assessing the market and developing a marketing plan; and explains the implementation process, including monitoring client satisfaction and quality control. (LRW)

Describes the development of production requirements and technical specifications for a microfilm-to-digital conversion project that digitized early English books printed between 1475-1700. Discusses the Internet interface used for access; MARC records; indexing; partnerships with libraries and universities; scanning; database design; and quality…

Discusses two versions of a signaling game to set minimal quality requirements for higher education applicants in Israel: one assumes low sensitivity to quality, the other high sensitivity. Concludes that indirect government influence on quality variations in applicant pool is more effective in controlling institutional quality then direct…

Describes the education quality control systems for mathematics used by the nine countries that performed best on the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) test. Findings suggest that the more enforced quality control measured used in an education system, the better the students' academic achievement. (Author/SLD)

The massification of university education is being replicated in many emergent and newly-industrialised countries, as universities from older economies have begun to offer educational services overseas. Initially, these were small-group programmes, but in recent years many more subjects, programmes and degrees have been taught offshore to…