[Federal Register: March 18, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 52)] [Notices] [Page 13415-13417] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr18mr99-61] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (National Advisory Committee); Meeting AGENCY: National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, Department of Education. What Is the Purpose of This Notice? The purpose of this notice is to announce the public meeting of the National Advisory Committee and invite third-party oral presentations before the Committee. This notice also presents the proposed agenda and informs the public of its opportunity to attend this meeting. The notice of this meeting is required under section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. When and Where Will the Meeting Take Place? We will hold the public meeting on May 11-13, 1999 from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the Latham Hotel on 3000 M Street, NW., Washington, DC 20007. You may call the Hotel on (202) 726-5000 to inquire about rooms. What Access Does the Hotel Provide for Individuals With Disabilities? The meeting site is accessible to individuals with disabilities. If you will need an auxiliary aid or service to participate in the meeting (e.g., interpreting service, assistive listening device, or materials in an alternate format), notify the contact person listed in this notice at least two weeks before the scheduled meeting date. Although we will attempt to meet a request received after that date, we may not be able to make available the requested auxiliary aid or service because of insufficient time to arrange it. Who Is the Contact Person for the Meeting? Please contact Bonnie LeBold, who is the Executive Director of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, if you have questions about the meeting. You may contact her at the U.S. Department of Education, ROB-3, Room 3082, 400 Maryland Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20202-7592, telephone: (202) 260-3636, fax: (202) 260- 5049. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday. [[Page 13416]] What Is the Authority for the National Advisory Committee? The National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity is established under Section 114 of the Higher Education Act (HEA) as amended by Public Law 105-244. What Are the Functions of the National Advisory Committee? The Committee advises the Secretary of Education about: * The establishment and enforcement of the criteria for recognition of accrediting agencies or associations under subpart 2 of part H of Title IV, HEA. * The recognition of specific accrediting agencies or associations. * The preparation and publication of the list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies and associations. * The eligibility and certification process for institutions of higher education under Title IV, HEA. * The development of standards and criteria for specific categories of vocational training institutions and institutions of higher education for which there are no recognized accrediting agencies, associations, or State agencies in order to establish the interim eligibility of those institutions to participate in Federally funded programs. What Agencies Will the Advisory Committee Review at the Meeting? The Advisory Committee will review the following agencies during its May 11-13, 1999 meeting. Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies Petitions for Renewal of Recognition 1. Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, Commission on Accrediting (Current scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation (``Candidate for Accredited Status'') of freestanding institutions, as well as programs affiliated with larger institutions, that offer graduate professional education for ministry and graduate study of theology). 2. Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (requested scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation (``Candidate for Accreditation'') of institutions and graduate programs in Naturopathy that leads to the degree of Doctor of Naturopathy (N.D.) or Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (N.M.D.)). 3. Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education, Commission on Accreditation (requested scope of recognition: the accreditation of Montessori teacher education institutions and programs evaluated by the following review Committees: the American Montessori Society Review Committee and the Independent Review Committee). 4. Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Secondary Schools (requested scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation (``Candidate for Accreditation'') of public vocational/technical schools offering non-degree, postsecondary education in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands). 5. Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Schools (requested scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation (``Candidate for Accreditation'') of adult and postsecondary schools that offer programs below the degree level in California, Hawaii, the United States territories of Guam and American Samoa, the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands). Interim Reports (An interim report is a follow-up report on an accrediting agency's compliance with specific criteria for recognition that was requested by the Secretary when the Secretary granted renewed recognition to the agency) 1. American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar 2. Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. 3. Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training 4. American Optometric Association, Council on Optometric Education 5. Council on Occupational Education 6. National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on Accreditation 7. National Association of Schools of Dance, Commission on Accreditation 8. National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on Accreditation, Commission on Non-Degree-Granting Accreditation, Commission on Community/Junior College Accreditation 9. National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on Accreditation 10. North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education 11. New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Technical and Career Institutions 12. New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education 13. Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Colleges 14. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges 15. Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accrediting Commission 16. Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges State Agency Recognized for the Approval of Public Postsecondary Vocational Education Petitions for Renewal of Recognition-- 1. Missouri State Board of Education State Agencies Recognized for the Approval of Nurse Education Petitions for Renewal of Recognition-- 1. Missouri State Board of Nursing 2. New Hampshire Board of Nursing Who Can Make Third-Party Oral Presentations at this Meeting? We invite you to make a third-party oral presentation before the National Advisory Committee concerning the recognition of any agency published in this notice. How Do I Request To Make an Oral Presentation? You must submit a written request to make an oral presentation concerning an agency listed in this notice to the contact person by April 15, 1999. Your request should include: --the names of all persons seeking an appearance, --the organization they represent, and --a brief summary of the principal points to be made during the oral presentation. This notice is not a call for third-party written comments. However, if you wish to provide the Advisory Committee with a brief document (no more than 6 pages maximum) illustrating the main points of your oral testimony, pleased enclose one original and 25 copies of the document with your written request to make an oral presentation. Please do not distribute written materials at the meeting or send materials directly to Committee members. Materials submitted by the deadline and in accordance with these instructions become part of the official record and are considered by the Committee in its deliberations. Department staff will not distribute documents submitted after the April 15, [[Page 13417]] 1999, deadline to the Advisory Committee. If I Cannot Attend the Meeting, Can I Submit Written Comments Regarding an Accrediting Agency in Lieu of Making an Oral Presentation? This notice requests third-party oral testimony, not written comments. A request for written comments on agencies that are being reviewed during this meeting was published in the Federal Register on December 21, 1998. The Advisory Committee will receive and consider only written comments submitted by the deadlines specified in that Federal Register notice. How Do I Request To Present Comments Regarding General Issues Rather Than Specific Accrediting Agencies? At the conclusion of the meeting, the Committee, at its discretion, may invite attendees to address the Committee briefly on issues pertaining to the functions of the Committee, which are listed earlier in this notice. If you are interested in making such comments, you should inform Ms. LeBold before or during the meeting. How May I Obtain Access to the Records of the Meeting? We will record the meeting and make a transcript available for public inspection at the U.S. Department of Education, ROB-3, Room 3082, 7th and D Streets, SW, Washington, DC, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Authority: 5 U.S.C. Appendix 2. Dated: March 15, 1999. Greg Woods, Chief Operating Officer, Student Financial Assistance. [FR Doc. 99-6623 Filed 3-17-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-M