[Federal Register: March 26, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 59)]
[Notices]
[Page 15823-15824]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26mr04-63]
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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 June 10, 2004, from 8:45 a.m.
until approximately 5:30 p.m., and on June 11, 2004, from 8 a.m. until
approximately 4 p.m. at the Hotel Monaco, 700 F Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20004. You may call the hotel on (202) 628-7177 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. Bonnie LeBold, 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 St., NW,
Washington, DC 20006, telephone: (202) 219-7009, fax: (202) 219-7008,
e-mail: Bonnie.LeBold@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 initial recognition or renewal of recognition,
as well as agencies that have submitted interim reports.
What Agencies Will the Advisory Committee Review at the Meeting?
The Advisory Committee will review the following agencies during
its June 10-11, 2004, meeting.
Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies
Petitions for Initial Recognition
1. Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools (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 U.S. Virgin Islands)
Petitions for Renewal of Recognition
1. Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (Current scope of
recognition: The accreditation of private, postsecondary allied health
education institutions and institutions that offer predominantly allied
health programs, private medical assistant programs, and public and
private medical laboratory technician programs leading to the Associate
of Applied Science and the Associate of Occupational Science degrees.)
(Requested scope of recognition: The accreditation of private,
postsecondary institutions in the United States offering predominantly
allied health education, medical assistant programs, and medical
laboratory technician programs leading to a certificate, diploma or the
Associate of Applied Science and Associate of Occupational Science
degrees, including those offered via distance education.)
2. 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 schools affiliated
with larger institutions, that offer graduate professional education
for ministry and graduate study of theology in the United States)
(Requested scope of recognition: The accreditation and preaccreditation
(``Candidate for Accredited Membership'') of theological schools and
seminaries, as well as schools or programs that are parts of colleges
or universities, in the United States, offering post baccalaureate
degrees in professional and academic theological education, including
delivery via distance education.)
3. Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (Current scope of
recognition: The accreditation of institutions in the United States,
that award postsecondary certificates or diplomas in the practice of
massage therapy and bodywork.) (Requested scope of recognition: the
accreditation of institutions in the United States, that award
postsecondary certificates, postsecondary diplomas, and Associates
degrees, in the practice of massage therapy and bodywork.)
4. North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School
Improvement, Board of Trustees (Requested scope of recognition: the
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accreditation and preaccreditation [``Candidacy status''] of schools
offering non-degree, postsecondary education in Arizona, Arkansas,
Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota,
Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South
Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and in the Navajo Nation.)
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. American Optometric Association, Accreditation Council on
Optometric Education.
3. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Council on
Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.
4. National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and
Sciences.
5. National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on
Accreditation.
6. National Association of Schools of Dance, Commission on
Accreditation.
7. National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on
Accreditation, Commission on Non-Degree-Granting Accreditation,
Commission on Community/Junior College Accreditation.
8. National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on
Accreditation.
9. New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on
Institutions of Higher Education.
10. New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on
Technical and Career Institutions.
11. New York State Board of Regents, the Commissioner of Education.
12. North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher
Learning Commission.
13. Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
State Agencies Recognized for the Approval of Public Postsecondary
Vocational Education
Petition for Initial Recognition
1. Pennsylvania State Board for Vocational Education.
Petition for Renewal of Recognition
1. Puerto Rico State Agency for the Approval of Public
Postsecondary Vocational, Technical Institutions and Programs.
Interim Reports
1. Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education.
State Agencies Recognized for the Approval of Nurse Education
Petitions for Renewal of Recognition
1. Montana State Board of Nursing.
2. North Dakota 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 so
that the request is received via mail, fax, or e-mail no later than May
21, 2004. 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 May 21, 2004 deadline will not be distributed to the
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. A request for written comments on agencies that are being
reviewed during this meeting was published in the Federal Register on
February 5, 2004. The Advisory Committee will receive and consider only
written comments submitted by the deadline 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, 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/legislation/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.
Dated: March 19, 2004.
Sally L. Stroup,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 04-6758 Filed 3-25-04; 8:45 am]
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