Data from two surveys of manufacturers (325 of 650 responded) suggest that those with quality improvement programs jointly administered by labor and management achieve significantly greater improvements than those with no programs. Those with programs administered solely by management fared no better than those with no programs. (Author/SK)

Training must be preceded by a well-articulated quality strategy and must be designed to facilitate its implementation. Each phase of the training curriculum should build on the preceding phase so that people will have the knowledge and skills they need when they need them. (JOW)

Discusses indicator systems and the relationship among indicators, development, and accountability for strategic management of school system improvement. Explains a system of indicators developed to monitor the effectiveness of practice, highlighting these indicators' dual purpose (school development and quality management). Areas requiring most…

This symposium overview briefly summarizes following articles which identify problems in the quality of care provided by Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR), provide reactions, and identify positive trends. An emphasis on regulations and compliance is thought to be a major obstacle to quality services. (DB)

This paper contrasts the rhetoric of quality assurance with the realities of poor quality in today's Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR). The ICF/MR operational model is described as paper oriented, failure based, and insensitive to the effects of its own practices. Recommendations include the establishment of local…

This paper discusses regulations and voluntary standards within the context of organizational mission and management leadership for quality in human services. Regulation is seen as a measure of organizational formalism; formalism is seen as an attribute of the machine organization; and both are contrasted to organic control organization models and…

Discusses Total Quality Management (TQM), benefits to libraries, and possible barriers to its adoption. An overview is provided of 13 articles included in this issue on (1) library approaches to TQM; (2) implementing a TQM program; (3) supporting TQM efforts; and (4) learning from the experience of others. (EAM)

Shows similarities between the health care crisis and problems in higher education, including quality, cost, access, systemic issues, public trust and confidence, and technology. Suggestions offered for improvement in higher education include sharing resources, demonstrating and practicing quality improvement, dealing with systemic problems, and…

A pilot study investigated and developed the potential contribution of self-assessment procedures in the regulation of British day nurseries. Inspection staff in four local authorities used day-care self-assessment materials adapted for inspection purposes. Results suggested that self-assessment incorporated with inspection and development work…

External factors, such as university affiliation, can help improve teacher-training programs. Using the University of Botswana (UB) as an example, this paper discusses quality control and assurance; evaluates their impact on courses offered, final examinations, and teaching practice; and evaluates operational drawbacks of UB's system, suggesting…

Comparatively analyzes the process of and trends in program accreditation in parks and recreation curricula and health care, noting implications for the future of accreditation. The paper makes recommendations to improve specialized accreditation in parks and recreation due to the increasing demand for identifying quality via outcome measurement.…

Accurate transactional financial data are necessary for governmental compliance; transformational information is crucial for measuring and improving school performance. Some districts are shifting from a systems to a service, focus, from partial to full-cost accounting, from centralized to decentralized reporting procedures and facilities, and…

Although unemployment is a serious problem in Europe, deregulating labor markets is not the solution. Deregulation could lead to decline in quality and competitiveness. The example of Japan shows the interaction of education, training, human resource management, and quality control. (SK)

Despite the hype, the Internet has limitations as a reference tool. This article discusses the use of the Internet as a reference tool, examines bibliographic structure on the Internet (online directories, search engines, site structure, categorization of reference tools, levels of structuring), and argues the Internet provides no comprehensive…

Presents a new model of effective school leadership based on recent empirical research (nonautobiographical case studies) on 12 British headteachers. Demonstrates how the multiperspective methodology contributed to a critique of existing leadership models and development of a grounded and value-led contingency model. (Contains 65 references.) (MLH)