The urgent need for an effective performance-based assessment tool that can make the connection between effective teaching and student learning has spurred action by expert educators. The Teacher Work Sample Methodology (TWSM) is a quality assurance system that can assess what students learn, how well they learn it, progress they make in their…

A project explored the complex relationships between "integrated" numeracy and literacy skills, self confidence, and the place of skills, knowledge, and values in the learning process. The focus was on beef producers undertaking training in quality assurance (QA). Analysis of observations of QA process on three case study farms and…

This study examines the implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) in the Library/Learning Resources Centers (LRC) of Columbia State Community College, Columbia, Tennessee; Delaware County Community College, Media, Pennsylvania; and Guilford Technical Community College, Greensboro, North Carolina. To place the LRCs' TQM experiences in proper…

Design problems of a school curriculum plan (those which result when elements required to attain quality control are not present or not functionally linked one to the other) and delivery problems (implementation) are discussed in relation to school curriculum management. Problem intervention and improvement are noted. Eleven references are cited.…

Five contributors identify essential means for the college to assure high standards, quality control, and consistency in assessing the prior learning of adults. Types of learning include work or military experience and life experience; assessment methods include examination, portfolio examination, and competence-based programs. (Author/MSE)

The New Jersey State Department of Education is implementing a program to evaluate every school on its basic skills instruction, improvement plans, and legal compliance. Unsatisfactory schools face labeling and a comprehensive program review. This article outlines the state plan and the New Jersey Education Association's objections to it. (SJL)

The Chesapeake Health Plan, a Baltimore-based health maintenance organization (HMO), works cooperatively with Baltimore City Hospitals, a teaching affiliate of Johns Hopkins University. Their mutual involvement includes a quality evaluation program of the HMO. The program incorporates peer review and focuses on prevention or reduction of…

The Council on Quality and Leadership in Supports for People with Disabilities conducted interviews with 447 people with disabilities to identify priority outcomes they expect from service and supports. An analysis resulted in 24 variables loading onto 7 major factors: identity, autonomy, affiliation, attainment, rights, health, and safeguards.…

An analysis of increases in federal regulation of student financial aid since 1959 looks at changes in both volume and substance of the regulations, and the costs of implementing them. Federal initiatives to form partnerships with institutions in managing student aid are noted, including quality assurance efforts and innovative experiments in…

The financial component of Spain's effort to reform higher education is outlined, particularly as it is designed to accomplish changes in program design and manage educational quality. Proposals for financing public universities include a new financial structure for universities, a new resource allocation model, and a program of student grants and…

Summarizes proceedings from a 1995 conference in Georgia on the Health Education Profession in the 21st century. The 24 participants developed goals intended to provide direction for the profession, identify actions needed to move the profession into a significant role, and create an action plan to identify who will do what. (SM)

Presents criteria for making decisions about the use of videotapes in Continuous Quality Improvement training in academic media centers: use of case studies; clear objectives and concepts; race/gender sensitivity; balance of simplicity and complexity; clarity of sound and visibility; graphics quality; content relevance; humor; length; variety in…

Recent experiences of manufacturing and commercial service industries provide insights to college facilities managers for combining downsizing with quality improvement. The Service Excellence Model emphasizes creation of shared responsibility, focus on core service processes, empowerment of cross-functional process-improvement teams, performance…

Recently the Spanish higher education board launched a university evaluation program to institutionalize quality assessment as an extended, continuous, system-wide process. Self-study and external assessments are the program's cornerstones. The new quality assessment program and the experiences leading to it are explained. Potential problems and…

Presents a model of quality assurance for colleges and universities, distilled from key concepts in the literature about quality assurance and higher education culture and practice. The model has continuous quality improvement in student learning at its center, and includes elements of institutional values, faculty evaluation and development,…