The ICA Communication Audit is described in detail as an effective measurement procedure that can help an academic institution to evaluate its internal communication system. Tools, computer programs, analysis, and feedback procedures are described and illustrated. (JMF)

Examines the target area goals selected by 69 elementary, middle, and secondary schools that were candidates for outcomes accreditation in Arizona in 1994-95. Describes the target area goals and discusses the most frequently selected goals, the distribution of goals among target areas, and distributions within selected target areas. (MAB)

Discusses the emerging relationship between the National Science Teachers Association and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. Describes the accreditation process and the nature of the standards. Presents some problems and reactions to them. (YP)

Trends over the past 25 years calling for accreditation, program evaluation, and outcomes assessment for higher education institutions are briefly reviewed. The cooperative market model of institutional research and self-study is outlined, which involves cooperation among institutions, accrediting bodies, state departments of education, and state…

New information on the employment, job change, and pay patterns of British university graduates offers support for the use of such measures as indicators of institutional performance and educational relevance. (MSE)

Demonstrates that the common procedure of using examination results as performance indicators based upon residuals from regression analysis when applied to aggregated data gives unstable results. Suggests that aggregate-level analyses are uninformative and that useful comparisons cannot be obtained without employing multilevel analyses using…

Research evidence concerning the introduction of performance appraisal in United Kingdom universities is presented. The notion of "procedural compliance" is introduced to draw attention to the largely externally imposed appraisal of universities and to the nature of institutional response. Findings of a study of appraisal in four…

Describes the implementation of outcomes accreditation at East Middle School, in Aurora, Colorado. Reports significant gains in student success, including a 68% decline in student tardiness and a 60% decrease in suspensions. Indicates that the school was selected as a state Governor's Challenger School. (MAB)

The institutional self-study required by a university hospital's reaccreditation process is explored, with a discussion of benefits and costs. A reaction by C. F. Waltz and A. Belcher reaffirms the value of reaccreditation studies and discusses ways of minimizing costs without compromising comprehensiveness and utility of results. (SLD)

Australia's recent experience with performance indicators for evaluation and funding of higher education institutions suggests principles concerning: selecting appropriate, relevant, and reliable indicators; providing expert judgment in interpretation of indicators; considering institutional context and priorities; providing incentives for good…

The reasons college and university administrators dislike institutional rankings and ratings of academic quality published in the popular press are examined, and college attributes commonly used in the ratings are discussed. Virtues and flaws of the assessments are noted, and variations in the evaluations over time are illustrated in charts. (MSE)

A discussion of concerns about quality in higher education focuses on the use of performance indicators as measures of quality. Great care is advised in the use of performance indicators because available indicators are not sufficiently substantive in relation to higher education's goals, processes, and outcomes. (MSE)

Describes the history of regional accreditation, examining six regional associations. Calls for a more consistent and organic approach to two-year college evaluation by the six agencies. Suggests that two-year colleges be evaluated as institutions of higher education but also as locally based institutions with distinctive delivery modes and…

Discusses the benefits and limitations of accrediting association membership and the impact of the 1992 Reauthorization of Higher Education Amendments on community colleges. Describes the colleges' roles in the accreditation movement and their responsibilities in maintaining quality, learning resources, faculty balance, and academic freedom in the…

Describes a review by the British Columbia (Canada) College of Teachers of the origin, nature, and role of the College of Teachers and of teacher education in British Columbia. The paper outlines the comprehensive, collaborative review procedures; it explains the findings, resulting recommendations, and actions taken by the college. (SM)