General directions in evaluating U.S. colleges and universities and problems that might be encountered in evaluating institutional quality are discussed. Eight guidelines for assessing institutional quality are also offered. Appendices consider the following five institutional evaluation approaches: educational audits, external consultant reviews,…

In November 1984, a random sample of Napa County residents was asked to complete a survey concerning the educational programs of Napa Valley College (NVC) to determine the extent to which NVC was meeting the county's educational needs. The survey was completed by 207 of the 400 community members in the sample. Study findings included the…

Potential indicators of organizational effectiveness and ineffectiveness in postsecondary institutions were investigated. Institutional effectiveness was defined as the possession of characteristics of excellence, including: student educational satisfaction, student academic development, student career development, student personal development,…

A study was conducted to determine whether the strategies and tactics employed in the implementation and continuation of well-established honors programs at selected community colleges followed the five stages that Martorana and Kuhns identified as phases in the life cycle of academic innovation (i.e., exploration, formulation, trial, refinement,…

A study examined the relative prestige of university speech communication departments based on the published output of their graduates. All issues of nine major speech communication journals were examined for the period 1971 to 1981. Approximately 200 institutions were represented in the 3,771 entries in the data base; 90 percent of the authors…

In summer 1982, a telephone survey was conducted by McLennan Community College (MCC) to determine the knowledge and opinions of McLennan County residents about the school. Interviews were conducted with 235 individuals, providing a sample in which people over 60 and between 18 and 21, females, and whites were overrepresented in terms of county…

A manual for accreditation visiting teams is presented that may also be used by colleges preparing for evaluation by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. After describing the role of the visiting team in the Commission's accreditation activities and the selection of the team,…

Georgia State University underwent an accreditation visit believed to be unique in postsecondary education. Eleven agencies sent their committees to the campus during one week in May 1977. The evaluators from these agencies totaled 72. The coordinated approach was aimed at reducing the institutional burden by saving time, effort, and money, while…

As part of a study of the planning and budgeting process at the departmental level at North Texas State University (NTSU), 20 pilot departments were asked to develop a comprehensive five-year plan for 1979-1984, and annual plans and budget requests for fiscal year 1980 and for future biennial periods. This guide is offered for use of the pilot…

Proposed schedules for short and long visits for state licensing team visits to colleges and universities are presented. The short visit, which some states use for program evaluations, involves a half day (the afternoon) prior to the formal visitation and a full day visitation. The long visit entails the afternoon prior to formal visitation, the…

The purpose of this report is to review the actions of the United States Office of Education (OE) in the administration and operation of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the 1978 Education Amendments. The report describes the changes Congress mandated OE to implement and examines OE's response to these specific…

Documents the recent higher education enrollment and degree-attainment status of Black Americans. Results indicate that (1) enrollment is stagnant or declining, (2) Black students are underrepresented, and (3) few institutions have awarded Blacks degrees in sciences. Suggests that a combination of individual and institutional-level efforts is…

Reviews research findings concerning the perceived value of the interaction between the accreditation visiting team and the faculty of the visited school. Reveals that the interaction was a highly valued part of the evaluation process, with time for interaction and the personal qualities of the team members affecting the success of the…

An institution can test seniors with the ACT College Outcome Measures Project (COMP) exam, then subtract from the senior score an estimated freshman score. Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, indicate that this method is not reliable to make judgments about the quality of general education programs. (Author/MLW)

Traces changes in the federal role in and priorities for higher education and poses questions concerning the relationship between the federal government and the accrediting community. Highlights reports evidencing state concern for quality and differences among the states with regard to program review and accreditation. (DMM)