A discussion of the use of performance indicators in evaluating higher education institutions in the United Kingdom argues that significant factors have not been adequately considered. A framework for designing a linkage between intrainstitutional and extrainstitutional indicators of performance is offered. The relationship between qualitative and…

To determine objectively the difference between "committed teaching" and "nonteaching" institutions as ranked in "U.S. News and World Report" ratings of colleges and universities, 1,519 institutions were surveyed concerning their selection of faculty, faculty evaluation during probationary period, evaluation for…

South Carolina has instituted a system of accountability linked to funding for its public colleges; it includes six measures of faculty, six measures of graduate preparedness to succeed, and five measures of instructional quality. The practice has transformed the way the institution operates, but some educators question the fairness and…

Salutes the professional schools that have most consistently appeared at the top of the journal's annual ranking of Top 100 graduate and professional schools for granting the most degrees to African Americans. Included are five institutions granting the most first professional degrees in medicine and the 10 law schools. (CH)

A new national survey, developed by professionals in higher education assessment, seeks to measure the extent to which colleges use "good practices" that encourage learning. Creators of the National Survey of Student Engagement will study undergraduates at 750 colleges over three years to establish benchmarks for different institution…

Since cost study data have their greatest impact when viewed within the context of institutional peers, this paper provides sources and strategies for the most effective use of comparative expenditure data. Considers comparisons at both the institutional and program level, as well as political considerations in using comparative data. Most…

Explores the successes and trials of Oakland Community College's (OCC) effort in designing and implementing a comprehensive Institutional Effectiveness (IE) assessment model. Introduces a brief overview of IE literature followed by a comparison of previous OCC effectiveness attempts to the current process. A model of IE highlights the cyclical…

Offers guidelines that specify the kinds of information that will assist faculties in identifying and rectifying problems in their graduate programs. Directs attention to eight areas: department goals; graduate admissions; retention and attrition of students; financial support for students; preparing students for careers within and outside the…

Describes the assessment process of the University of Virginia's Office of Financial Aid under the Standards of Excellence Peer Review Program of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. Discusses the rationale for the review, preparation for it, and the actual review visit and ensuing reports. Offers five recommendations…

Report of a review panel which evaluated the effectiveness of the New Zealand Academic Audit Unit concluded that procedures requiring universities to undertake a self-review with the Academic Audit Unit validating the process have been a major stimulus for introduction of effective quality systems within a climate of trust and mutual respect.…

Reports a study which used the effectiveness criteria contained in the Competing Values Model of Organizational Effectiveness to produce a set of organizational effectiveness self-rating scales for Hong Kong higher educational institutions. Scales were developed using the behaviorally anchored rating scales procedure. Highlights the qualitative…

Explored the utility of an involvement and talent development framework in assessing the success of charter schools and their students. Focus group interviews with parents and teachers in four Ohio charter schools indicated that student, teacher, and parent involvement and growth of students' cognitive and affective talents were important…

Examines the evaluation of teaching in entire programs, departments, and institutions. Discusses the varying levels of evaluation and their corresponding methodologies, asserting that these indicate the broadening context in which the evaluation of teaching is now taking place. (EV)

This article describes a theory about the ambition of most Inspectorates to realise 'school improvement through inspection'. Literature about a number of direct and indirect interventions, such as reciprocity, communication and feedback is used to build a theoretical model stating the relations between working methods of school inspectors,…

This article deals with the issue of developing an efficient study quality assurance system in higher education. The issue of quality assurance is analysed in the context of the Lithuanian higher education integration into the common European Higher Education Area. The author explores the relevance of a study quality issue, presents an overview of…