FR Doc E6-14164
[Federal Register: August 25, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 165)]
[Notices]
[Page 50403-50405]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25au06-56]
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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 Monday, December 4, 2006, from 9
a.m. until approximately 5:30 p.m.; on Tuesday, December 5, 2006, from
8:30 a.m. until approximately 5:30 p.m., and on Wednesday, December 6,
2006, from 8:30 a.m. until approximately 3:30 p.m. in the Mt. Vernon
Rooms A and B at The Madison, 1177 Fifteenth Street, NW., Washington,
DC 20005. You may call the hotel at (202) 862-1600 to inquire about
rooms.
What Assistance Will Be Provided to 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. Francesca Paris-Albertson, 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 7110, 1990 K St., NW., Washington,
DC 20006, telephone: (202) 219-7009, fax: (202) 219-7008, e-mail:
Francesca.Paris-Albertson@ed.gov. 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. 1011c.
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 the review of agencies that have
submitted petitions for renewal of recognition and/or an expansion of
an agency's scope of recognition, and the review of agencies that have
submitted an interim report.
What Agencies Will the National Advisory Committee Review at the
Meeting?
The following agencies will be reviewed during the December 4-6,
2006 meeting of the National Advisory Committee:
Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies
Petition for Renewal of Recognition That Includes a Contraction of the
Scope of Recognition
1. American Occupational Therapy Association, Accreditation Council
for Occupational Therapy Education. (Current scope of recognition: The
accreditation of entry-level professional occupational therapy
educational programs offering the Baccalaureate Degree, Post-
baccalaureate Certificate, Professional Master's Degree, Combined
Baccalaureate/Master's degree, and Doctoral Degree for the
accreditation of occupational therapy assistant programs offering the
Associate Degree or a Certificate; and for its accreditation of these
programs offered via distance education.) (Requested scope of
recognition: The accreditation of occupational therapy educational
programs offering the professional master's degree, combined
baccalaureate/master's degree, and occupational therapy doctorate (OTD)
degree; the accreditation of occupational therapy assistant programs
offering the associate degree or a certificate; and the accreditation
of these programs offered via distance education.)
Petitions for Renewal of Recognition That Include an Expansion of the
Scope of Recognition
1. The Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on
Accreditation. (Current scope of
[[Page 50404]]
recognition: The accreditation and preaccreditation (``Candidate for
Accreditation'') of Bible colleges and institutes in the United States
offering undergraduate programs.) (Requested scope of recognition: The
accreditation and preaccreditation throughout the United States of
institutions and programs of biblical higher education that award
undergraduate certificates and degrees, and masters, and doctoral
degrees including those programs offered via traditional and
alternative [distance education] delivery systems.)
2. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. (Current scope of
recognition: The accreditation of nursing education programs in the
United States, at the baccalaureate and graduate degree levels.)
(Requested scope of recognition: The accreditation of nursing programs
in the United States, at the baccalaureate and graduate degree levels,
including programs offering distance education.)
3. Distance Education and Training Council, Accrediting Commission.
(Current scope of recognition: The accreditation of postsecondary
institutions in the United States that offer degree programs primarily
by the distance education method up through the first professional
degree level, and are specifically certified by the agency as
accredited for Title IV purposes; and the accreditation of
postsecondary institutions in the United States not participating in
Title IV that offer programs primarily by the distance education method
up through the first professional degree level.) (Requested scope of
recognition: The accreditation of postsecondary institutions in the
United States that offer degree programs primarily by the distance
education method from the associate up to and including the
professional doctoral degree, and are specifically certified by the
agency as accredited for Title IV purposes; and the accreditation of
postsecondary institutions in the United States not participating in
Title IV that offer programs primarily by the distance education method
from the associates up through the professional doctoral degrees.)
4. Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools. (Current scope of
recognition: The accreditation of institutions with postsecondary, non-
degree granting career and technology programs in Delaware, Maryland,
New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,
the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.) (Requested
scope of recognition: The accreditation of institutions with
postsecondary, non-degree granting career and technology programs in
Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin
Islands including programs offered all or in part via distance
education modalities at those institutions.)
5. National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. (Current
scope of recognition: The accreditation in the United States of
programs in practical nursing, and diploma, associate, baccalaureate
and higher degree nurse education programs.) (Requested scope of
recognition: The accreditation in the United States of programs in
practical nursing, diploma, associate, baccalaureate and graduate
degree nurse education programs including those that offer such
programs via distance education.)
Petition for an Expansion of the Scope
1. Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting
Commission for Schools. (Current 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.) (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; and the accreditation and
preaccreditation of not-for-profit postsecondary non-degree-granting
institutions in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and
Washington.)
Petitions for Renewal of Recognition
1. American Academy for Liberal Education. (Current and requested
scope of recognition: The accreditation and preaccreditation
(``Candidacy for Accreditation'') of institutions of higher education
and programs within institutions of higher education throughout the
United States that offer liberal arts degree(s) at the baccalaureate
level or a documented equivalency.)
2. American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal
Education and Admissions to the Bar. (Current and requested scope of
recognition: The accreditation throughout the United States of programs
in legal education that lead to the first professional degree in law,
as well as freestanding law schools offering such programs.)
3. American Physical Therapy Association, Commission on
Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. (Current and requested
scope of recognition: The accreditation and preaccreditation
(``Candidate for Accreditation'') in the United States of physical
therapist education programs leading to the first professional degree
at the master's or doctoral level and physical therapist assistant
education programs at the associate degree level and for its
accreditation of such programs offered via distance education.)
4. American Veterinary Medical Association, Council on Education.
(Current and requested scope of recognition: The accreditation and
preaccreditation (``Reasonable Assurance'') in the United States of
programs leading to professional degrees (D.V.M. or D.M.V.) in
veterinary medicine.)
5. Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc., Accreditation
Commission. (Current and requested scope of recognition: The
accreditation of both clinical pastoral education (CPE) centers and CPE
and Supervisory CPE programs located within the United States and
territories.)
6. Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting
Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities. (Current and requested
scope of recognition: The accreditation and preaccreditation
(``Candidate for Accreditation'') of senior colleges and universities
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, including distance education programs
offered at those institutions.)
Interim Reports
(An interim report is a follow-up report on an accrediting agency's
compliance with specific criteria for recognition.)
1. Council on Naturopathic Medical Education.
2. North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School
Improvement, Board of Trustees.
[[Page 50405]]
State Agencies Recognized for the Approval of Public Postsecondary
Vocational Education
Renewal Petitions
1. Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education. (Current and
requested scope of recognition: The approval of public postsecondary
vocational education offered at institutions in the State of Oklahoma
that are not under the jurisdiction of the Oklahoma State Regents for
Higher Education.)
2. Pennsylvania State Board of Vocational Education, Bureau of
Career and Technical Education.
Interim Reports
1. New York State Board of Regents (Public Postsecondary Vocational
Education).
2. Puerto Rico State Agency for the Approval of Public
Postsecondary Vocational, Technical Institutions and Programs.
State Agency Recognized for the Approval of Nurse Education
Petition for Renewal of Recognition
1. Maryland Board of Nursing.
Federal Agency Seeking Degree-Granting Authority
In accordance with the Federal policy governing the granting of
academic degrees by Federal agencies (approved by a letter from the
Director, Bureau of the Budget, to the Secretary, Health, Education,
and Welfare, dated December 23, 1954), the Secretary is required to
establish a review committee to advise the Secretary concerning any
legislation that may be proposed that would authorize the granting of
degrees by a Federal agency. The review committee forwards its
recommendation concerning a Federal agency's proposed degree-granting
authority to the Secretary, who then forwards the committee's
recommendation and the Secretary's recommendation to the Office of
Management and Budget for review and transmittal to the Congress. The
Secretary uses the Advisory Committee as the review committee required
for this purpose. Accordingly, the Advisory Committee will review the
following institution at this meeting:
Proposed Master's Degree-Granting Authority
1. National Defense University, Washington, DC (request to award a
Master's in Arts in Strategic Security Studies degree).
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
identified earlier in this notice so that the request is received via
mail, fax, or e-mail no later than October 2, 2006. Your request (no
more than 6 pages maximum) must include:
1. The names, addresses, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail
addresses of all persons seeking an appearance,
2. The organization they represent, and
3. A brief summary of the principal points to be made during the
oral presentation.
If you wish, you may attach documents illustrating the main points
of your oral testimony. Please keep in mind, however, that any
attachments are included in the 6-page limit.
Please do not send materials directly to Committee members. Only
materials submitted by the deadline to the contact person listed in
this notice and in accordance with these instructions become part of
the official record and are considered by the Committee in its
deliberations. Documents received after the October 2, 2006 deadline
will not be distributed to the National Advisory Committee for their
consideration. Individuals making oral presentations may not distribute
written materials at the meeting.
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. Requests for written comments on agencies that are being
reviewed during this meeting were published in the Federal Register on
July 26, 2006. The National Advisory Committee will receive and
consider only written comments submitted by the deadline specified in
the above-referenced 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 National Advisory 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. Paris-Albertson 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, 1990 K St., NW.,
Washington, DC 20006 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.
How May I Obtain Electronic Access to This Document?
You may view this document, as well as all other Department of
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe
Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site:
http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister
To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available
free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S.
Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in
the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512-1530.
Note: The official version of this document is the document
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal
Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html
.
Authority: 5 U.S.C. Appendix 2.
James F. Manning,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. E6-14164 Filed 8-24-06; 8:45 am]
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