Performance management, a joint process involving both supervisor and employee in the identification of common goals and writing of performance expectations, is recommended as a quality management approach to college and university personnel management. Its philosophical bases, management rationale, and the use of performance appraisal within this…

Benchmarking is an ongoing, systematic process for measuring and comparing work processes of one organization to those of another to identify best practices. Higher education can gain much from this technique, as industry has. The method is objective, reduces resistance to change and can lead to dramatic innovation and rapid development. (MSE)

This paper argues that the quality evaluation trend in European higher education reflects the state's effort to gain greater control over higher education. First, performance indicators are imposed, and then this technical form of evaluation is used to steer the higher education system toward the labor market. (MSE)

Key characteristics of the administration of Australia's higher education system are outlined, and the current debate over quality assurance in higher education is discussed. Historical treatment of higher education quality in Australia, government initiatives since the mid-1980s, and reasons for the current emphasis on quality are outlined. (MSE)

It is suggested that evidence-based health care is appropriate in dental care delivery, and dental educators can play an important role in overcoming barriers to teaching and practice of this approach. Obstacles include misinterpretations, insufficient evidence, undeveloped critical appraisal skills, skepticism, inadequate time, and poor access to…

The new manager of the Saint Louis Public Library's cataloging department describes how she dealt with three computer systems, planning for unexpected downtime, juggling staff, balancing different levels of expertise, and upgrading staff technical skills. The development of a cataloging procedures manual is also described. (KRN)

Total Quality Management is a comprehensive system for developing organizationwide participation in planning for and implementing continuous improvement in critical processes. In colleges, trustees can be central to the success of the method through their commitment and the development of supportive policy and procedures. (MSE)

Before higher education proceeds further with its use of the Total Quality Management (TQM) approach, it should examine TQM mistakes and accomplishments by previous users in the business sector, then create its own model for appropriate and effective TQM application. (MSE)

At the University of Pennsylvania, Total Quality Management (TQM) principles were applied to its financial functions to ensure timely recovery of sponsored research funding and reduce research account overdrafts. TQM implementation both saved money and highlighted how important careful formation of the quality improvement team is. (MSE)

Advocates the use of the Total Quality Management (TQM) model for libraries to survive financially and to retain their customers. An award for library quality based on the Malcolm Baldridge Award is proposed to enable institutions to use an evaluation procedure that rewards a commitment to continuous improvement. (Contains five references.) (EAM)

The German system for educating and certifying pharmacists is described, including national standards for curriculum content and design, licensing examinations, the structure of graduate study and specialization, and the availability of continuing professional education. (MSE)

Considers the relationship of the quality of images with the needs of users of digitized manuscripts. Highlights include goals of digitization; for whom to digitize; experiences of the National Library of the Czech Republic digitizing and providing electronic access to historical documents; preparation of manuscript descriptions; usability of…

Drawing on the experience of Oregon's new-teacher evaluation system, describes teacher work-sample methodology and evidence for its reliability and validity in evaluating the performance of prospective teachers. This is a methodology that responds to the challenge issued by the National Commission on Teaching and the America's Future challenge.…

Examines implications of quality assessment for distance education and other forms of materials-based learning. Suggests that materials-based teaching cannot properly be judged in quite the same terms as conventional, face-to-face teaching. Presents and discusses 20 questions for program evaluation. (Author/AEF)

In a study of the utility of classroom assessment techniques (CATs) for improving quality of college instruction, ten instructors were trained in CAT use, implemented those techniques, and discussed experiences with other faculty. Faculty found CATs particularly helpful in certain areas of instruction and planned further use. Students also…