[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 50 (Friday, March 14, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12158-12159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-6416]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Recognition of Accrediting Agencies

AGENCY: Department of Education.

ACTION: Request for comments on an accrediting agency appealing a 
previous recommendation of the National Advisory Committee on 
Institutional Quality and Integrity to withdraw its recognition.

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DATES: Commentors should submit their written comments by April 14, 
1997 to the address below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Karen W. Kershenstein, Director, Accreditation and State Liaison 
Division, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Room 3915 ROB-3, Washington, DC 20202-5244, telephone: (202) 708-7417. 
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 7 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday.

SUBMISSION OF THIRD-PARTY COMMENTS: The Secretary of Education is 
required by law to publish a list of accrediting agencies that he 
determines to be reliable authorities regarding the quality of 
education or training offered by institutions or programs they 
accredit. The National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and 
Integrity (the ``Advisory Committee'') advises the Secretary on 
specific accrediting agencies that seek to be recognized by the 
Secretary.
    The National League for Nursing was reviewed by the Advisory 
Committee at its June 1996 meeting, at which time it recommended that 
the agency's recognition be withdrawn. The agency appealed that 
recommendation, in accordance with the provisions set forth in 34 CFR 
602.13 of the regulations governing the recognition of accrediting 
agencies. The Secretary has reviewed the agency's appeal and has 
decided to remand the matter to the Advisory Committee for review. The 
Advisory

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Committee will consider the case at its June 16-18, 1997 meeting.
    The purpose of this notice is to invite interested third parties to 
present written comments on the National League for Nursing. In order 
for Department staff to give full consideration to the comments 
received, the comments must arrive at the address listed above not 
later than April 14, 1997. Comments must relate directly to the 
Secretary's Criteria for the Recognition of Accrediting Agencies. All 
written comments received by the Department in response to this notice 
will be considered by both the Advisory Committee and the Secretary.
    A subsequent Federal Register notice will announce the meeting and 
invite individuals and/or groups to submit requests for oral 
presentation before the Advisory Committee on this agency and the other 
agencies being reviewed at that meeting. That notice, however, does not 
constitute another call for written comment. This notice is the only 
call for written comment on the National League for Nursing, which, as 
indicated above, is appealing the previous recommendation of the 
Advisory Committee to withdraw its recognition.

Public Inspection of Petitions and Third-Party Comments

    All third-party comments received in response to this call for 
comment, as well as the agency's original petition and supporting 
documentation, the Department staff analysis of that petition, the 
agency's appeals materials, and its most recent submission, which the 
Secretary requested by March 1, 1997, will be available for public 
inspection at the U.S. Department of Education, ROB-3, Room 3915, 7th 
and D Streets, SW., Washington, DC 20202-5244, telephone (202) 708-7417 
between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
until June 2, 1997.

    Dated: March 10, 1997.
David A. Longanecker,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 97-6416 Filed 3-13-97; 8:45 am]
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