Reviews the efforts of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools to reexamine the role of accrediting agencies in promoting institutional quality and institutional improvement. Summarizes the content of a series of sessions on the topic at the 1989 annual meeting of the association. (DMM)

Presents the informal position of the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools regarding how accreditation can best incorporate the goal of improving institutional quality without diminishing its success in measuring threshold quality. (DMM)

Conflict generally exists in relationships between families of disabled individuals and care agencies, with the amount of conflict depending on the condition and age of the handicapped person, sociocultural level of the family, and characteristics of the agencies. A model is proposed for improved dialogue between families and professional teams.…

Presents findings from activities undertaken by the North Central Association to determine strategic planning needs for 1995-2000, including a survey of 213 member schools and an environmental scan. Indicates that 91% of the members expressed the importance of keeping schools informed about standards. Lists eight critical elements discovered in…

Argues that regional accrediting agencies should play an expanded role in supporting the arts and sciences, going beyond reviews of general education requirements to embrace the special role of the arts and sciences in the full range of undergraduate education. (DMM)

The president elect of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy examines the role of that association, reviews its activities and impact throughout its history, and concludes that the stated mission of providing pharmaceutical care services rather than mechanical procedures must be better reflected in the pharmaceutical curriculum. (MSE)

Studied the length of stay in foster care on the part of members of a cohort of foster children in Maryland who entered care between 1980 and 1983. Examined the impact of selected factors related to child, mother, and agency service on length of stay in this population. (BB)

The primary purpose of state dental licensing boards is to protect the public, but clinical testing of dental graduates is not critical to this function and may even distract from it. Ensuring the continuing competence of practicing dentists is a more important focus for licensing agencies. (MSE)

the National Advisory Committee on Accreditation and Institutional Eligibility is criticized by various groups for doing and saying too much or too little. Current controversial issues on its agenda include loan defaults, shoddy trade schools, and treatment of minority students and faculty. The committee's role in some areas is also unclear. (MSE)

This paper supports Ray Helfer's proposed model of child protection services (EC 600 595) and expands on the model from the perspective of the state's service role. It describes implementation of the model in Oregon, current problems, possibilities for change, and strategies for the future. (JDD)

Presents results of a survey of screening and risk assessment policies in child protective services (CPS) in 100 counties in 8 states. Findings reveal mixed practices and a general lack of evaluation of developed systems. (NH)

Since its creation in 1992, the Public Health Service's Office of Research Integrity has not won a single case against a scientist accused of research misconduct. Cases are adjudicated by a panel of lawyers. Scientists and critics agree that the government's failure will have serious consequences for the research community. (MSE)

This paper is rooted in practitioner experience of working within the non-profit sector. It is both underpinned by Master's level research and built on as part of an on-going sense-making process for the author in terms of her doctoral research. Focusing on a specific part of the sector--local development agencies, explores how personal theories…

Administrative agencies seeking to impose sanctions for regulatory violations can handle matters internally or through civil or criminal courts. Organizational culture, legal constraints, and political and private actors may influence governance and hence choice of enforcement venue. An enforcement behavior model is constructed and tested…

The major purpose of this descriptive report is to provide an overview of the structure, capacity, and roles of educational service agencies (ESAs) across five states--Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin--in the Great Lakes region, within the context of the broader statewide systems of support for educational improvement and progress.…