Peer mediation programs' flexibility is their major strength and a potential weakness. The article examines positive and negative aspects of peer mediation programs; discusses implementation, evaluation, and funding mechanisms; and explores ethical concerns, highlighting accessibility, acceptance, accountability, supervision, training, and…

U.S. college faculty salaries are based on merit and market factors, not a fixed scale. This article proposes a structural model for faculty performance evaluation that considers quality and quantity of output in teaching, scholarship, and service, awarding merit pay in proportion to an instructor's contribution to overall departmental…

Reviews approaches to quality management in the private sector from an evolutionary perspective. Focuses on two critical dimensions: product versus system, and objective versus intersubjective orientation. Experiences within the private sector can be relevant for the public sector, and the complexity of evaluation has implications for the…

Presents a list of accredited Canadian and U.S. programs that offer professional preparation in the fields of parks, recreation, and leisure, explaining why accreditation is important, what the standards are, what the options are, how programs become accredited, who does the accrediting, and what is new in accreditation. (SM)

Although both the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) accredit teacher education, the public's confidence in higher education has suffered from reports of supposedly good schools graduating poorly qualified teachers, prompting this reevaluation of how these agencies…

Various theories of organizational structure are examined for agreements, divergences, and evidence that illuminate the effectiveness of the quality management function generally and for higher education institutions in particular. Issues discussed include the concept of service quality, categorization of organizations, and specific structures…

Review of methodology for assessing the employment "success" of higher education graduates finds that graduate and employer surveys generally to do not serve this purpose well. It finds, however, that despite substantial methodological problems, institutions can implement expert guidance to obtain targeted feedback related to…

For the past decade, the teaching profession has been building a system of quality assurance incorporating seven elements: advanced certification, licensing standards, curriculum standards, alignment, accreditation, professional-development schools, and state standards boards. NCATE-accredited institutions produce more qualified teachers than…

Improving a school's Q4C quotient (quality control, customer commitment, and communications) during election planning hinges on district mission, a culture of high expectations, basic skills mastery, commitment to customers, continuous feedback, healthy working relationships, broad community involvement, high- level strategic planning and…

Discusses the role and position of an educational buffer agency, as exemplified by the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education, with references to: (1) accreditation; (2) quality audit; (3) support of academic leadership; and (4) internal quality enhancement. Concludes that change is best accomplished by emphasizing support in the early…

Describes the implementation of a Facilities Management Evaluation Program (FMEP) in one school district. Outlines how the district's maintenance department launched a comprehensive three-year facility management business plan, the department's decision to use a FMEP, the FMEP process and how it helped the district, and the decision to implement…

Scholars are finding that articles they have posted on the World Wide Web are subsequently being refused by journals. Policies among publishers vary widely on this issue. Journal editors fear posting on the Web will erode the system of peer review, and that important papers disseminated on the Internet will reduce scholars' need to read their…

States that in the debate on quality management the concept of the customer and the issue of social work being considered as part of the services sector play a crucial role. Argues that not enough attention is paid to the dangers inherent in the transfer to the customer concept. (CMK)

Reports on a student-based action research project in quality management within a postgraduate education program at Massey University (New Zealand). Finds the program to be complex, interconnected to the wider university system, with poorly defined processes, and unclear assignment of responsibilities. Considers the role of students and other…

Argues that the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education's (NCATE) intent to accredit only high quality programs is overly grandiose, suggesting that NCATE should instead focus on identifying weak programs. The article argues in support of this minimalist mission for NCATE and offers suggestions for moving NCATE toward a more…