Experience at Rio Salado Community College (Arizona) has shown that an administrative issue should be examined first to determine whether application of the continuous improvement process is an appropriate use of resources. Areas truly in need of significant improvement should have priority. (MSE)

Focuses on the customer satisfaction element of Total Quality Management (TQM) in libraries, including definition of the terms customer and customer satisfaction, determining customer expectations, complaint systems, keeping customers, and empowerment of staff. Appendices list approaches libraries and other organizations have used to improve…

Visited a random sample of 2,813 regulated family day-care homes (RFHs) in Texas. The RFHs were examined for compliance with minimum state standards and rated on 21 specific quality aspects. Found that the quality of care at the RFHs was significantly and consistently related to compliance with 116 standards. (MDM)

The trend toward market orientation and related business strategies in higher education is examined in the Australian context, particularly in relation to changes in institutional administration such as coordinated decentralization and to the Total Quality Management movement. (MSE)

The National Playground Safety Institute believes it is essential to develop and administer a national voluntary certification program for playground safety inspectors. Certified individuals would routinely receive new information and instruction in new procedures. The paper discusses who should receive such certification and how they would be…

Teacher education programs preparing for national accreditation must develop and represent knowledge base models used in curricula. Auburn University's College of Education devised decision seminars, a systematic review process that lets each program be represented according to its own professional knowledge base, assisting in quality assurance…

Discusses the role of regional accreditation associations in assuring quality control in distance education for higher education and considers changes due to emerging new technologies. Highlights include standards for traditional regional accreditation, the process of regional accreditation, and accommodations for distance-education programming.…

Research and teaching quality ratings have become established in the United Kingdom, influencing the level of government funding provided to higher education institutions. The correlation between the two indicators, and possible consequences of policies that reshape the higher education sector by concentrating research resources in a limited…

Examines discrepancies between a proposed new framework for recognition of research in South Africa and existing policy on research recognition and funding, and argues that work on quality control in research done in other countries may provide the needed insights into research assessment for South Africa. (MSE)

A structure of interlocking contingencies was designed to train and support managers' provision of effective feedback to subordinates, peers, and superiors at a large state residential institution for children with developmental disabilities. The system included formal scheduling of feedback, reinforcement, and goal setting. Increased feedback…

Reports on research at six Florida schools that identified common contributors to poor indoor air quality. Discusses the reasons behind the state implementing the research, the many problems associated with elevated humidity levels, and ways to improve air quality, which includes effective operational systems and maintenance procedures. (RJM)

Discusses how software programs can help managers evaluate roofing options, project maintenance, and repair costs. Describes how computerized roof management can aid in budgeting, facilitate the development of a roof-management database, and help in selecting the appropriate roof system. Offers tips on shopping for software. (RJM)

A response to a paper on Translation Quality Assessment (TQA) and the training of translators supports the argument that the functionalist approach to TQA has not succeeded and that despite the merits of the approach, this reflects a flaw. The role of contrastive/comparative linguistics in functionalist translation theory is considered. (MSE)

Presents an intervention, used in the Netherlands, that empowers clients in residential care homes. The intervention comprises a standardized survey-feedback procedure in which residents' opinions on life and care in their particular home are gauged, discussed, and reported. Explores instrument validity, reliability, and its use in the home. (RJM)

The Council of Australian University Librarians (CAUL) has extended its commitment to academic library performance measurement with the publication of the first three CAUL Performance Indicators, focusing on library/clientele congruence, document delivery quality, and the proportion of sought material obtained. All have been applied effectively in…