[Federal Register: April 4, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 65)]
[Notices]
[Page 17648-17650]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04ap00-47]
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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 24 and 25, 2000 from 10:00
a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the Ritz Carlton Hotel at Pentagon City, 1250
South Hayes Street, Arlington, Virginia 22202. You may call the Hotel
on (703) 415-5000 to inquire about rooms.
[[Page 17649]]
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 Ms. 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, Room 7007--MS 7592, 1990 K Street NW,
Washington, DC 20006, telephone: (202) 219-7009, fax: (202) 219-7008.
Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may
call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.
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, 20 U.S.C. 1011.
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.
* The relationship between: (1) Accreditation of
institutions of higher education and the certification and
eligibility of such institutions, and (2) State licensing
responsibilities with respect to such institutions.
* Any other advisory functions relating to accreditation
and institutional eligibility that the Secretary may prescribe.
What Items Will be on the Agenda for Discussion at the Meeting?
Agenda topics will include an update on the Title IV Distance
Education Demonstration Program, a panel discussion by Federal and
higher education agency representatives on transfer of credit issues, a
briefing on ethics requirements, and the review of agencies that have
submitted petitions for renewal of recognition or interim reports.
What Agencies Will the Advisory Committee Review at the Meeting?
The Advisory Committee will review the following agencies during
its May 24-25, 2000 meeting.
Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies
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 Academy for Liberal Education.
2. Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools,
Accreditation Commission.
3. Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.
4. American Veterinary Medical Association, Council on Education.
5. The Council on Chiropractic Education, Commission on
Accreditation.
6. Council on Education for Public Health.
7. National Environmental Health Sciences and Protection
Accreditation Council.
8. National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.
State Agency Recognized for the Approval of Public Postsecondary
Vocational Education
Petition for Renewal of Recognition
1. Puerto Rico Human Resources and Occupational Development
Council.
Interim Report
1. Oklahoma State Board of Vocational and Technical Education.
2. Utah State Board for Applied Technology Education.
State Agencies Recognized for the Approval of Nurse Education
Petition for Renewal of Recognition
1. Montana State Board of Nursing
Interim Report
1. Maryland 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
listed above.
How Do I Request to Make an Oral Presentation?
You must submit a written request to make an oral presentation
concerning an agency listed above to the contact person listed in this
notice. The request must be received no later than close of business on
May 3, 2000. 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, including any attachments)
illustrating the main points of your oral testimony, please 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 received by the deadline (May 3, 2000) 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 received after the May 3, 2000 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
comment. A request for written comments on agencies that are being
reviewed during this meeting was published in the Federal Register on
January 18, 2000. The Advisory Committee will receive and consider only
written comments submitted by the deadlines specified in that Federal
Register notice.
[[Page 17650]]
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 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, 1990 K St. NW,
Washington, DC, telephone (202) 219-7009, between the hours of 9 a.m.
and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. It is
preferred that an appointment be made in advance of such inspection.
What Agencies Will Be Postponed for Review until the December 2000
Meeting?
The agencies listed below, which were originally scheduled for
review during the Committee's May 2000 meeting, will be postponed for
review until the Committee's December 2000 meeting. Any third-party
written comments regarding these agencies that were received by March
3, 2000, in accordance with the Federal Register notice published on
January 18, 2000, will become part of the official record and will be
considered by the Committee in its deliberations at the December 2000
meeting. There will be another opportunity to provide written comments
on these agencies this summer; a Federal Register notice requesting
comments on all agencies scheduled for review at the December 2000
meeting will be published in June or July 2000.
Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies
Petition for Initial Recognition
1. Midwifery Education Accreditation Commission.
Petitions for Renewal of Recognition
1. American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Commission
on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education.
2. American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal
Education and Admissions to the Bar.
3. Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
4. Accrediting Commission on Education for Health Services
Administration.
5. American Osteopathic Association, Bureau of Professional
Education.
6. American Podiatric Medical Association, Council on Podiatric
Medical Education.
7. National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
8. New York State Board of Regents.
Authority: 5 U.S.C. Appendix 2.
Dated: March 29, 2000.
A. Lee Fritschler,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 00-8218 Filed 4-3-00; 8:45 am]
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