The newsletters of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) (California) provide commission news and discussions on current issues and policies regarding institutional accreditation. The January 2000 issue states that recent annual reports submitted by member institutions to ACCJC have revealed confusion about what…

This self-assessment report is intended to serve as the foundation for Austin Community College (ACC) (Texas) to build a common language and to facilitate communication about performance excellence. Using the Baldrige Criteria in the areas of leadership, strategic planning, student and stakeholder focus, information and analysis, faculty and staff…

This report and policy brief synthesizes findings from five reports on the experiences of low-income parents, child care providers, and state child care systems in Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Texas, and Washington. In recent years, there has been increased national funding for child care but deteriorating economic conditions that could jeopardize…

A study analyzed recently tenured teachers' perceptions about union reform, examining factors shaping their beliefs and noting efforts of Rochester, New York's Rochester Teachers' Association (RTA) to promote reform and foster new leadership. Newly tenured teachers completed interviews on: the RTA's role; a description of the RTA; what influenced…

Each year an estimated 5 million Americans pursue education or training through what is known as distance education. Distance education, which is also known as distance study, e-learning online education, correspondence study, home study, independent study, and other various terms, has existed in America for more than a century. Yet, few teachers,…

The information provided in this report documents that the National Science Foundation (NSF) is a well-managed and effective organization with an outstanding staff dedicated to ensuring that America's future is secure and prosperous. Despite its small size, NSF is widely recognized as the catalyst for the advancement of basic research in America.…

This document describes the accomplishments of the Office of Inspector General (OIG), U.S. Department of Education from October 1, 2003 through March 31, 2004. During this period, 71 audit and inspection reports were issued and 94 investigations were closed. Congress was provided with an analysis of issues for consideration in its reauthorization…

Questions current reports on air pollution control, and advocates reduction in the size and weight of automobiles to curb pollutant emissions. (CC)

To illustrate the potential of indigenous environmental health workers, a hypothetical situation is created looking at the functions of such workers in a rodent control program. Community individuals, it is shown, are aware of unlabeled communication barriers which impede delivery of health services. Recognizing and utilizing this awareness can…

Reports the implementation of a quality assurance program in Colorado mental health facilities, designed to help managers know how they were doing on operational issues. The program was simple, low cost, and easy to implement. All levels of management found it a useful tool. (Author/WAS)

Five approaches to measuring higher education quality are outlined and criticized as incomplete: the nihilist, reputational, resources, outcome, and value-added approaches. Feedback from students and faculty is the key to discovering and improving institutional contributions to student development. (MSE)

Lost disciplines, lost scholars, a lost generation of new disciplines, and lost facilities for the knowledge business are threatened. There is a clear danger that the experiential nature of the academic doctorate is being interfered with through excessive attention to didactic teaching in the classroom. (MLW)