This article argues that the concept of the college student as consumer, and adoption of quality assurance approaches embraced by business, are alien to the nature of higher education. Academic peer review is seen as more appropriate to the university culture and more comprehensible to teachers and researchers. (MSE)

Some universities have responded to the need for leadership and staff development activities as a result of, or as part of, the quality improvement movement. The principles of the Total Quality Management approach are as germane to the academic institution as to business but may need some adaptation to the academic culture. (MSE)

Higher education institutions can enhance school reform by establishing accountability measures for professional preparation of curriculum specialists. The article describes a knowledge base of curriculum domains and related practices. A quantifiable compendium of operationalized behaviors and skills can help establish frameworks for program…

A discussion of the response of George Mason University (Virginia) to economic decline in 1989-92 looks at four stages in the downturn and examines a variety of planning and policy issues, including management of both unplanned and planned reductions, continued uncertainty, politics of decline, organizational communication and morale,…

Describes the creation of an interactive retrieval system for electronic numeric files that was developed at Cornell University's (New York) Mann Library. Topics discussed include user characteristics; special data characteristics; quality control; software; hardware; data preparation; database design and construction; interface; subject indexing…

Examines a university's year-long project within student services designed to improve services for its customers, primarily the student body. Discusses Strategic Quality Measurements (SQM) and outlines the current program's inception. Offers advice to university administrators who may wish to initiate their own SQM program. (RJM)

Describes the process created by the Accreditation Committee of the International Society for Technology in Education for developing and validating National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) accreditation standards for computer/technology education degree and teacher certification programs. Included are selected data from…

Factors affecting concern about quality of higher education are examined in three contexts--the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. These factors include the economic climate, international competitiveness, public perceptions, and the role of government in determining the missions and activities of colleges and universities. (MSE)

Explains activities involved in the production of a multimedia course at the Open University (United Kingdom) and suggests that similar concerns arise with coproduction projects. Highlights include the need for planning; production schedules for different media; controlling quality, quantity, and cost; collection and dissemination of information;…

Implementation of the Total Quality Management approach in the Maricopa County Community College District (Arizona), a large 10-campus system, is described. The program's current early stages are reported noting the serious administrative commitment and thorough training, seen as key factors in potential success. (MSE)

Discusses three narratives about the history, status, and future of educational researchers. The prevailing collective self-portrait portraying researchers as social scientists with autonomy is contrasted with views of limited autonomy and the author's narrative of enhanced professionalism through research texts about people in the schools. (SLD)

At Samford University (Alabama), Total Quality Management principles were used effectively to revitalize an ailing nursing education program, through systematic evaluation of teaching, advising, and admissions processes. Faculty, staff, and student involvement and commitment to the quality assessment process were key factors in success. (MSE)

Addresses training in the context of organizing and implementing a Total Quality Management (TQM) initiative. The customer service implications and relevant training or skill implications for the following phases are described: (1) exploration and commitment; (2) organizing for quality; (3) start up; and (4) expansion and integration. (Contains 18…

Examines trends affecting higher education such as declining enrollments, replacement of faculty, rising costs, competition for enrollments, corporate education, work changes, and greater accountability and relates them to Total Quality Management (TQM). Relevant organizations, the role of leadership, and barriers to greater acceptance are…

Discussion of quality assurance in U.S. pharmaceutical education looks at the Total Quality Management approach to measuring quality, recommendations of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy concerning general and pharmacy-specific professional competencies, and other systems to ensure quality, including accreditation, the federal role,…