Explains the need for meaningful performance measures in libraries and the Total Quality Management (TQM) approach to data collection. Five tools representing different stages of a TQM inquiry are covered (i.e., the Shewhart Cycle, flowcharts, cause-and-effect diagrams, Pareto charts, and control charts), and benchmarking is addressed. (Contains…

The system of pharmaceutical education in France is explained including the structure of the doctoral curriculum, internships for specialization, the system of diplomas, classification and certification of a pharmacist, and locus of responsibility for program quality. (MSE)

A study investigated the usefulness of a small-group management process to involve physicians and nurses in analysis of patient mix, practice patterns, and care outcomes and improvement of practice strategies. Eight studies, each on one clinical topic, were undertaken at three hospitals. Significant positive changes were observed in five of them.…

A Pennsylvania State University planner who sat in on an introductory physics course as part of a Total Quality Management/Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) effort reflects on the experience and discusses insights gained about the link between CQI and the quality of undergraduate instruction. (MSE)

Teachers must learn to distinguish among performance assessments of different quality and appropriateness. Design criteria (cognitive complexity, linguistic appropriateness, content quality and coverage, and meaningfulness) are judged by examining assessment tasks and scoring rubrics. Effects criteria (transfer, generalizability, instructional…

Characterizes Subject Review, a new scrutiny process for British higher education, evaluating its effectiveness against the purposes it has set itself in the area of funding policy, enhancement of provision, and public information. The paper offers a case study of factors which come into account when systems for measuring the quality of higher…

Presents a comparative perspective regarding evidence from the British Universities Council for the Education of Teachers to the House of Commons Select Committee concerning methods of evaluating preservice teacher education in England and Wales by the Office for Standards in Education, assessing it from the context of the global village and…

Discusses the role of educational development units (EDUs), which support improvement of teaching in Australian universities, focusing on the tension between the individual faculty consultation function and the unit's role at an institutional level. Suggests these two levels of action should be considered complementary and necessary. Describes…

Examines the influence of a number of factors on quality assurance in the South African university system, including a new national system for standardizing training, national quality assurance initiatives, a new proposed role for universities, the shift from a monocultural to a multicultural educational environment, trend toward mass higher…

Describes the National Action Program for information and communication technologies in Swedish classrooms that was developed to help safeguard equivalent standards and quality between schools. Topics include the national curriculum; inservice teacher training; Internet connections; and email. (Author/LRW)

Argues that the legitimacy of accreditation in teacher education is rooted in political consensus, power, and scholarship. Because these roots are fragile, there is no accepted concept of educational malpractice. The legitimacy of accreditation should be rooted in scholarly evidence that the program has fulfilled the claim that its graduates are…

Outlines the course development of an introductory large-scale distance education course offered via the World Wide Web at the Open University in the United Kingdom. Topics include developing appropriate student skills; maintaining quality control; facilitating easy updating of material; ensuring student interaction; and making materials…

A new model for financing Spanish universities is examined, looking first at the changing context of higher education in Spain and then at the structure and objectives of the model. Salient features include increased institutional autonomy, standardization of service quality, linking of costs to constituencies, implicit and explicit incentives for…

A solution to the shortcomings of traditional corporate education and training includes interactive and/or multimedia tutorials and electronic performance support. The easiest way to deliver training at the point of need is by implementing a local area network. Organizational benefits include increased productivity, improved service and product…

Current developments in the delivery of advice, guidance, and counselling to students in higher education are outlined. A range of possible consequences for higher education of the introduction of occupational standards in the advice, guidance, and counselling field is identified. Issues that higher education institutions and awarding bodies will…