Examines a university's year-long project within student services designed to improve services for its customers, primarily the student body. Discusses Strategic Quality Measurements (SQM) and outlines the current program's inception. Offers advice to university administrators who may wish to initiate their own SQM program. (RJM)

Describes the process created by the Accreditation Committee of the International Society for Technology in Education for developing and validating National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) accreditation standards for computer/technology education degree and teacher certification programs. Included are selected data from…

Factors affecting concern about quality of higher education are examined in three contexts--the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. These factors include the economic climate, international competitiveness, public perceptions, and the role of government in determining the missions and activities of colleges and universities. (MSE)

Explains activities involved in the production of a multimedia course at the Open University (United Kingdom) and suggests that similar concerns arise with coproduction projects. Highlights include the need for planning; production schedules for different media; controlling quality, quantity, and cost; collection and dissemination of information;…

Implementation of the Total Quality Management approach in the Maricopa County Community College District (Arizona), a large 10-campus system, is described. The program's current early stages are reported noting the serious administrative commitment and thorough training, seen as key factors in potential success. (MSE)

Discusses three narratives about the history, status, and future of educational researchers. The prevailing collective self-portrait portraying researchers as social scientists with autonomy is contrasted with views of limited autonomy and the author's narrative of enhanced professionalism through research texts about people in the schools. (SLD)

At Samford University (Alabama), Total Quality Management principles were used effectively to revitalize an ailing nursing education program, through systematic evaluation of teaching, advising, and admissions processes. Faculty, staff, and student involvement and commitment to the quality assessment process were key factors in success. (MSE)

Addresses training in the context of organizing and implementing a Total Quality Management (TQM) initiative. The customer service implications and relevant training or skill implications for the following phases are described: (1) exploration and commitment; (2) organizing for quality; (3) start up; and (4) expansion and integration. (Contains 18…

Examines trends affecting higher education such as declining enrollments, replacement of faculty, rising costs, competition for enrollments, corporate education, work changes, and greater accountability and relates them to Total Quality Management (TQM). Relevant organizations, the role of leadership, and barriers to greater acceptance are…

Discussion of quality assurance in U.S. pharmaceutical education looks at the Total Quality Management approach to measuring quality, recommendations of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy concerning general and pharmacy-specific professional competencies, and other systems to ensure quality, including accreditation, the federal role,…

Four prerequisites for college and university departmental change and renewal have been suggested: dedication to teamwork; collective dialog and inquiry about effective teaching; commitment to quality control and rewarding collective goals; and leadership of a purposeful chair. These are discussed in relation to conditions mitigating against…

While evaluation of higher education in different countries shares many features, it is subject to range of interpretations and operational procedures. This variation is evident in the use made of external experts, the role played by various stakeholders, and the scope and level of evaluation. Pilot assessment projects in Europe are noted, and the…

A response to a paper on Translation Quality Assessment and the training of translators looks at parallel developments in second/foreign language learning/teaching, particularly in error analysis, error evaluation, and language authenticity. Argues criteria used to assess quality of translations in a professional context, for which functionalism…

Discussion of various quality control strategies in American higher education looks at and compares Total Quality Management (TQM), outcomes assessment, Deming's 14 points, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the ISO 9000 series, restructuring, reengineering, and performance indicators. It is suggested that colleges and universities will…

This article describes the activities of a national group of assistive technology professionals known as the Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology Services (QIAT) Consortium. The work of the Consortium is discussed and the current set of indicators is included. Processes used in the development of the indicators are described. (Contains…