The article presents an overview of the quality control procedures of the British Council for National Academic Awards. The Council awards degrees and certificates to persons completing courses of study at educational establishments other than universities. Noted are procedures for institutional accreditation, models of quality assurance, and…

Discussion of educational opportunities in Third World countries focuses on textbook development projects financed by international organizations, including the World Bank. It is concluded that instructional systems development elements are needed in textbook development projects to improve both the quality of textbooks and inservice teacher…

With the increasing focus on educational facilities, facilities managers are experiencing heightened scrutiny over their roles. This report examines the kinds of questions that school board members, superintendents, and administrators are asking facilities managers and the possible consequences of this new attention, such as more outsourcing. (RJM)

Describes the following four conceptions of teaching and discusses each in the context of quality management and evaluation in universities today: (1) performance, enactments, and engagement, including long-term appraisal; (2) industrial production, including product standards; (3) professional practice; and (4) personal calling or vocation.…

Argues that approaches to higher-education quality in Australia have focused on assurance, assessment, monitoring, and reporting of quality, not on improvement. A model for continuous improvement of higher education quality is outlined, and the central role of professional development in such a process is emphasized. (Author/MSE)

Describes the special library's role in implementing ISO 9000 (i.e., a series of international quality-assurance standards developed by the International Organization of Standards). Topics discussed include document and data control, keeping the standards current, documentation of procedures, the ISO 9000 audit, and benefits for the library. (MES)

Presents a typology of quality-assurance systems for higher education and evaluates the alternatives. Argues that total quality management strategies are best suited to higher education's purpose because the model is internal to the delivery of the service, continuous, and process-oriented, but notes, however, that there are deep, often…

Discusses challenges to educational quality facing academic staff in South African universities in the context of quality assurance policy developments at the national level. Considers eight contextual factors using the University of the Orange Free State as an example. Suggests strategies such as action research as a first step to…

Discusses the applicability of the definition, principles, and underlying strategies of total quality management (TQM) for engineering education. Describes several tools and methods for the implementation of TQM and its suitability for a variety of school activities. Presents a TQM course outline combining lectures, discussions, suggested…

Discusses the relationship of scholarship to outreach in the college or university's engagement with community problems. Suggests use of four quality outreach dimensions: significance, attention to context, internal and external impact, and scholarship. Identifies tensions faculty involved in outreach may experience, such as maintaining clear,…

Describes the application of evaluation methods to a graphic mechanics course offered to two public high school classes in Brazil through the Web-based distance education program "Programa Educ@r." Discusses the need for ongoing evaluation to control quality, and presents the results of the evaluation. (PEN)

Discussion of classes delivered via the World Wide Web and the need for timely feedback focuses on peer evaluations and computer-generated reports. Graphical methods of data presentation are described, including histograms with Bloom's taxonomy, based on experiences at Washington State University. (LRW)

This article presents a focused and detailed method for providing meaningful supervision to program administrators of early intervention programs. The Monthly Report and Quality Program Indicators provide anecdotal and statistical information about employee concerns, facility management, curriculum implementation, inservice development, community…

Discusses the use of evaluative techniques to measure outcomes that show the value and worth of librarians and library services. Highlights include quality improvement; evaluating quality; measuring concepts as opposed to concrete variables; meeting users' information needs; measuring intangibles; and measures from total quality management. (LRW)

An action research project sought to implement a quality management system in an academic department in an Australian higher education institution. The case study revealed that technical change was attained, but adoption of a quality culture achieved only token acceptance. (EV)