Investigates possibility of applying industrial organization theories to construct evaluative, analytical framework for educational institutions. Defines organizational identity in terms of culture, communication networks, and school image, using each to examine instability and conflict at Scotland's Summerhill school. Concludes cultural divisions…

The practice of institutional self-study in Nigeria is examined, and its potential for enhancing educational reforms is discussed. School self-evaluation is at present disappointingly poor in Nigeria. Systematic, planned, school-based evaluation studies should be incorporated into every educational reform effort in Nigeria to effectively monitor…

Presents a model for establishing a community college student outcomes assessment program, listing types of student outcomes that should be assessed, and sources of information and measures typically used to assess the outcomes. Reviews steps in program development and in tailoring the program to the college. (DMM)

Explains how the North Central Region's Commission on Institutions of Higher Education certifies quality and encourages improvement. Traces the evolution of the commission's emphasis on assessment, highlighting its "Statement on Assessment and Student Academic Achievement," the essential elements and implementation of an assessment…

Offers background information on the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Occupational Education Institutions, and the manner in which assessment requirements are stated in the commission's 12 standards and the way these standards change. (DMM)

Describes how the Department of Secondary Education at Brigham Young University (Utah) improved and benefited as the unit to which it belonged engaged in a self-study to fulfill the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education accreditation standards. (SM)

Describes the Teaching Quality Assessment (TQA) in the United Kingdom as having the potential to provide a useful way of formatively evaluating an institution's international effort. Provides examples and an outline strategy for successful internationalization in higher education. Concludes that the responsibility for the evaluation of educational…

Describes the assessment plan developed by Turtle Mountain Community College to better respond to the needs of its growing student body. Includes a description of the survey instrument administered to graduating students, which was used to assess the institution's effectiveness. (VWC)

Describes a survey administered to 1,341 continuing-education students at Schoolcraft College (Michigan) to determine students' perceptions of the college and to collect more information about the college's customers. States that the Continuing Education Services Department will use this information to further enhance an existing marketing plan…

Explores quality-assurance mechanisms for higher education and their use as a government policy instrument. Outlines several national or system-level approaches adopted worldwide; reviews an Australian quality-assurance program conducted from 1993 to 1995 and its successor program; and comments on ways in which the government used quality…

This article describes the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and how the Missouri School for the Blind has been using it to measure its organizational effectiveness by focusing on the future, managing by fact, and creating innovative solutions to meet the needs of students, families, staff, and other service providers. (Contains references.)…

Review of national (United Kingdom) and international university league tables published in 1998 in major British newspapers finds that these efforts to rank institutions by using weighted combinations of performance indicators do not provide most potential students with the critical information needed to choose a school. (DB)

Investigates two competing perspectives, accumulated advantage and institutional isomorphism, on the relationship between publication productivity and institutional hierarchy. Accumulated advantage refers to the continuing attraction of students, faculty, and research dollars to prestige universities. Institutional isomorphism denotes the tendency…

Summarizes what High/Scope discovered to be the critical characteristics of a comprehensive and valid measure of early childhood program quality. Provides suggestions for how the tool can be used, and highlights with examples. Asserts that the guidelines effectively assess efforts of child development, staff development, and soundness of…

Accreditation bodies increasingly force institutions to merge their accountability reporting, institutional research, outcomes assessment, and decision-making activities, thus serving as catalysts for enhancing institutional effectiveness. (Contains 3 figures.)