Discusses the concept of professionalism for librarianship, questioning the position of library associations on credentials as well as the validity of the graduate degree in library science with regard to the individual librarian and public service. (CWM)

The major forms of evidence that support a standard's credibility are reviewed, and what can be done over time and for different forms of an examination to enhance its comparability in a credentialing setting is outlined. Pass-fail decisions must be consistent to ensure a standard's credibility. (SLD)

The experience of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards illustrates how issues of assessing the content representativeness of performance assessment can be addressed to ensure validity for certification procedures. Explores the challenges of collecting validation evidence when expert judgments of content are used. (SLD)

In fall 1994, California State University, Los Angeles, initiated a pilot program reflecting the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing's new standards for administrator preparation and professional development. The program stresses five areas: organizational and cultural environment, strategic issues management, ethical and reflective…

A school fund-raising drive for a young cancer victim at Twality Junior High School in Tigard, Oregon, became a legal hassle with the involvement of a professional fund-raising organization being investigated for mishandling funds. Advises making a thorough background check before letting anyone take custody of funds raised through the school.…

A survey of 21 internal medicine residencies in New York resulted in identification of 8 essentials of a feasible credentialing protocol, including 5 present in most of the protocols examined. The study produced a master list of procedures with corresponding certification criteria and suggested a uniform credentialing system is possible.…

The role of non-M.L.S. professionals in the library environment is examined in two articles together with some of the educational, administrative, and professional issues involved. The first article focuses on the role of the archivist in academic libraries and the second discusses the non-M.L.S. professional in the library network environment.…

Results of a meeting on human resources policy in the health professions are summarized. Aspects of accreditation, licensure, and certification were discussed across a range of health professions, including similarities and differences, impact on each profession, and potential for interaction and cooperation for problem solving. (MSE)

Movement toward a North American free trade agreement has provided impetus for a similar academic common market. However, differences in educational structure and quality make integration difficult. Priorities must be articulated, financing cooperation arranged, credit transfers facilitated, and achievement measures coordinated. Some isolated…

The Dutch vocational education system of qualifying students is examined, including national policy changes in response to identified problems, and ways in which the quality of qualifications will be assured in a reformed vocational education system to assure comparability with other European Community nations. (DB)

Assumptions implicit in the current use of licensing and certification examinations are identified, relevant evidence for these assumptions are reviewed, and implications for current methods of measurement are discussed. To ensure the protection of public health, it is critical to determine whether training and credentialing programs serve their…

Deans/directors at top-ranked library and information science (LIS) programs in North America are assessed in terms of their scholarly salience. Citation analysis suggests that most LIS deans are not scholars of note. No correlation was found between decanal citation counts and programmatic rankings. (Author)

Case studies provide an overview of the provision of postcompulsory vocational training leading to Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs). Highly diverse SVQs are offered through further-education colleges, private training organizations, public and private sector employers, and the voluntary sector. Providers had only a notional sense of…

Argues that as higher education has grown, colleges and universities have systematically disinvested in the humanities and developed a culture of credentials. Now market-driven colleges pursue trophies (star faculty, plush facilities, reputation). Academic fields that offer a promise of money, knowledge of money, or a source of money are prized,…

This paper assesses the importance of the credential requirements used by employers to attract graduates who will use their education on the job. The framework of this study is embedded within the theoretical debates between proponents of the credentialist and human capital theories of education. Past research related to these debates has focused…