British Commonwealth universities inherited the class system for classifying degrees. However, increasing global marketization has brought with it increasing demands for student exchanges, particularly with universities in North America. Hence, Commonwealth universities are considering adopting grade point averages (GPAs) for degree classification…

Total quality management (TQM) was employed to improve the collection, storage, and use of racial/ethnic information at Cornell University. The initiative began with the task of standardizing ethnic codes across a number of university systems. The project to improve race/ethnicity reporting was undertaken by a team representing various university…

A discussion of issues related to accountability in adult English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) programs looks at ways in which current quality and accountability measures address the real issues of adult immigrant education. First, the strengths and weaknesses of accountability schema that have been developed in other education contexts are…

These guidelines are intended to assist states and local communities in developing quality respite services that meet the diverse needs of families and children with disabilities, with chronic and terminal illnesses, or at risk of abuse or neglect. The guidelines support the philosophy that all families can benefit from temporary intervals of rest…

This manual is intended to assist managers of support units at institutions of higher education in the implementation of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI). The purpose is to describe a cooperative model for CQI which will permit managers to evaluate the quality of their units and institution, and by using the described tools and techniques, to…

The total quality movement began as a result of the desire of W. Edwards Deming, an American statistician, to permit the economic system to maintain its edge in a growing global market. The 14 points Deming listed as essential to "total quality management" have recently been adapted to the field of education. The success of the total…

This case study examined the unsuccessful efforts of the University of Maine's (UM) president, Frederick Hutchinson, to "downsize" that institution begun in 1993. It focuses on reasons for the failure of Hutchinson to persuade the faculty to accept his vision. The study used a combination of Michael Hammer and James Champy's list of…

A study of 10 organizations explored how their various certification or accreditation programs were developed, structured, and managed and made observations to guide the development of certification or accreditation for the electronics industry. From November 1994 through January 1995, a phone and fax survey was conducted of these organizations:…

The Quality Assurance Program (QAP) workbook is intended to assist institutions of higher education conduct qualitative and quantitative evaluations of their financial aid operations in relation to requirements of Title IV of the Higher Education Act. The workbook provides a structured approach for incorporating a cyclical Title IV QA system into…

The South West Thames Regional Library Service (England) uses contracts for library service to encourage library cooperation, liberate staff, and focus on the quality of information services. The South Thames Regional Library Service facilitates access to and promotes the use of health care literature and is responsible for planning and…

The Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is the most ambitious study conducted by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement to date. TIMSS developed and administered tests and questionnaires in three student populations to study achievement in participating countries and the factors associated…

This paper offers college teachers guidelines for improving their teacher made tests. It notes that teachers may focus on how well students have learned course objectives while being unaware of how the testing process itself contributes to the results obtained. The paper reports the results of a test-taking workshop designed to improve college…

This paper outlines the application of Total Quality Management to schools and describes schools that are representative of the national trend toward Schools of Quality or Quality Schools. The traditional preparation program for teachers and administrators is described as being driven by certification requirements of the state departments of…

This volume offers a detailed argument for and description of Total Quality Management (TQM) for institutions of higher education. Chapter 1 elaborates on why TQM is good for higher education and includes some warning as to why implementation at colleges and universities may not be easy. Chapter 2 provides an overview of the history of the TQM…

This report first outlines the status of early childhood care and education in Minnesota, including the effects of an inadequate child care system on families and society. Issues of quality, cost, and availability of care are then addressed and are the basis of the recommendations for a coordinated child care system. Recommendation 1…