Three university programs of continuous quality improvement, based on the Total Quality Management approach, are described. The institutions are the Georgia Institute of Technology; Pennsylvania State University; and University of Maryland at College Park. The report attempts to look beyond the mechanics of the programs to discover what is being…

Although the Total Quality Management approach in higher education institutions may focus greater attention on student needs, it also brings the risk of providing students with what they ask for rather than what they need to be well educated and prepared to enter a globally interdependent, complex workforce. (MSE)

At Samford University (Alabama), Total Quality Management methods and tools were used to reorganize the library. The professional librarians formed the quality team. Focus on customer needs and restructuring of staffing and organizational processes have resulted in both quantifiable and less tangible improvements in service and environment. (MSE)

The Georgia Southern University admissions office implemented Total Quality Management (TQM) principles to control the quality of information management. It is suggested that, although TQM is used best on an institutionwide basis, it can also be useful in improving quality, reducing cost, increasing productivity, and achieving competitiveness on a…

Examines the use of Total Quality Management (TQM) in the federal government setting. Topics covered include federal corporate culture, benefits to employees, early programs in productivity improvement, governmentwide implementation, the information network on TQM applications maintained by the Federal Quality Institute, and barriers to…

The paper addresses the potential of informatics to patient care quality assurance curricula, focusing on (1) terminology and developments related to quality of care evaluations; (2) criticisms of traditional approaches; (3) limitations of existing data sources for quality assurance in dentistry; and (4) quality assurance considerations in…

Describes how the Department of Secondary Education at Brigham Young University (Utah) improved and benefited as the unit to which it belonged engaged in a self-study to fulfill the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education accreditation standards. (SM)

Compares Goodlad's 1990 postulates on teacher education reform and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education standards, examining the compatibility of renewal efforts and commitment to national accreditation. The article suggests that reform and required changes will result in programs that meet national standards of quality and…

Proposes a model for consideration by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education in accrediting teacher education programs. The model uses outcome-centered accreditation, judging success of teacher preparation programs on the basis of broad outcomes. The article presents suggested standards for an outcome-centered model of…

Outlines some of the myriad factors affecting a facility's indoor air quality (IAQ). Offers strategies for addressing complaints, establishing trust, adjusting guidelines, addressing legislative concerns, and plotting a course for improved IAQ. Describes how one state was able to implement an IAQ program for its schools. (RJM)

Discusses how attempts to establish a more comprehensive standard have undermined indoor air quality and energy efficiency revisions. Describes the Building Owners and Managers Association's major opposition to the revisions and their complaint that the revisions would require drastic changes in structures. Summarizes the debate about what to do…

Describes the Teaching Quality Assessment (TQA) in the United Kingdom as having the potential to provide a useful way of formatively evaluating an institution's international effort. Provides examples and an outline strategy for successful internationalization in higher education. Concludes that the responsibility for the evaluation of educational…

Responding to a budget deficit, St. John Fisher College (New York) used quality-management tools to address critical budget issues and initiate a strategic program. Because the process used consensus-building tools, committee members felt they had been given equal input into resource allocation decisions and the process provided a sense of shared…

Discusses how various school districts are addressing school quality on tight budgets. Options discussed include use of portable classrooms, streamlining non-educational services, leasing and performance contracting, and energy improvements and working with power utilities to cut costs. Argues for adopting and enforcing ISO 9000 standards to…

Examines the results of Mexico's quality-oriented higher-education policies, in place since 1984 and designed to encourage improved faculty performance through economic incentives. The policies were enhanced further in the mid-1990s by establishing medium-term improvement strategies and using external evaluators and international experience to…