Briefly describes the evolution of postsecondary military education programs, focusing on certain quality control problems which reduce the effectiveness of the educational effort made by the Department of Defense. Implementation of a market-oriented response to the quality control problem is proposed as a route to program improvement. (Author/JL)

Although past accreditors have discouraged nontraditional program developments, some leaders in the accrediting community are now pressing for a change of emphasis to educational outcomes in the evaluation of quality by institutional evaluators. A proposed policy statement on the accreditation of nontraditional education is provided. (Author/MLW)

The Ad Hoc Committee on Continuing Medical Education of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) identifies accepted assumptions regarding continuing education, examines recent trends and issues, and offers conclusions and recommendations for the AAMC and for the medical schools, teaching hospitals, and specialty societies that provide…

The purpose of the study reported was to determine to what extent attitudes changed over time while medical students were enrolled in a quality assurance program that incorporated clinical experience and the use of medical audits. The analysis suggests that student attitudes did change over time and became less favorable toward quality assurance.…

Criticisms of attempts to measure the educational and research quality of universities are discussed, particularly with respect to methods that rely on the quality of faculty publications. However, it is argued that institutions supported by public funds must be accountable and some form of assessment is necessary. (JMD)

The history of veterinary homeopathy, its future and implications are discussed. The need for investigation into the validity of both allopathic and homeopathic claims is stressed and it is suggested that maintenance of quality is the key factor in any approach. (BH)

Total Quality Management is being implemented in American and British schools to improve educational outcomes. The 14 points of Deming's quality model and Porter's models of competition and drivers of cost provide a systematic, structured template to promote educational excellence and meet the demands of social, political, and economic forces.…

A University of Vienna (Austria) staff development program that emphasizes the professionalization of university teaching and management is described. The approach integrates personnel evaluation, quality assessment, and staff development, which is also linked to institutional mission and identity. A benefit of the staff development seminars has…

Describes quality models that community colleges have adopted to improve program effectiveness and customer service, focusing on the use of these models in career development. Discusses exemplary college programs that focus on quality, teamwork and participatory management, and service to students as their prime customers. (AJL)

Alongside increasing demand for faculty to do more teaching, research, and community service, there is increasing pressure to improve the quality of academic work. The relationship between quantity and quality of academic work is complex, and achieving higher quality requires that academics, administrators, and funding bodies have a better…

Critically examines Total Quality Management (TQM). Analyzes the concepts and practices of TQM and its failure to live up to expectations in higher education. Emphasizes the problems inherent with TQM initiatives in an educational environment and outlines ways that student affairs officials can proactively apply TQM to support universities'…

Written by a former McDonald's manager who earned a master's degree in library science, this article describes how "QSC"--quality, services, and cleanliness--can be applied to libraries in the same way it is used by restaurants. Argues that libraries are simply businesses that cater to customers. (Contains 42 references.) (NB)

Comparable scales to measure quality of early intervention services for infants and toddlers as perceived by parents and service providers were developed based on the Recommended Practices in Early Intervention. Scales were administered to 209 parents and 177 providers. Parents' perceptions of quality were related to family centeredness of…

Co-workers of three job trainees with mental retardation used coincidental training procedures while completing their own jobs. Coincidental training resulted in improved accuracy of salad-making skills, but skill acquisition was very slow; subsequently, a model and a quality-control check were added, resulting in higher performance levels. (JDD)