[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 187 (Tuesday, September 26, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57804-57806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-24662]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 December 11-13, 2000 from 9:30 
a.m. until 6:00 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.

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 St. N.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20006, telephone: (202) 219-7009, fax: (202) 219-7008, 
e-mail: [email protected]. 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 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, 
the review of agencies that have submitted petitions for initial 
recognition or renewal of recognition, and the review of 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 December 11-13, 2000 meeting.

Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies

Petition for Initial Recognition

    1. Midwifery Education Accreditation Commission (Requested scope of 
recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation of direct-entry 
(non-nurse) midwifery certificate and undergraduate and graduate degree 
educational programs and institutions offering those types of programs)

Petitions for Renewal of Recognition

    1. American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Commission 
on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (Current 
scope of recognition: the accreditation of clinical training programs 
in marriage and family therapy at the master's, doctoral, and 
postgraduate levels. Requested scope of recognition: the current scope 
of recognition plus the preaccreditation of clinical training programs 
in marriage and family therapy at the master's, doctoral, and 
postgraduate levels [``Candidacy''] of programs)
    2. American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal 
Education and Admissions to the Bar (Requested scope of recognition: 
the accreditation of programs in legal education that lead to the first 
professional degree in law, as well as freestanding law schools 
offering such programs)
    3. Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine 
(Requested scope of recognition: the accreditation of first-
professional master's degree and professional master's level 
certificate and diploma programs in acupuncture and Oriental medicine)
    4. Accrediting Commission on Education for Health Services 
Administration (Requested scope of recognition: the accreditation of 
graduate programs in health services administration)

[[Page 57805]]

    5. American Osteopathic Association, Bureau of Professional 
Education (Requested scope of recognition: the accreditation and 
preaccreditation [``Provisional Accreditation''] of freestanding 
institutions of osteopathic medicine and programs leading to the degree 
of Doctor of Osteopathy or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine)
    6. American Podiatric Medical Association, Council on Podiatric 
Medical Education (Requested scope of recognition: the accreditation 
and preaccreditation [``Candidate Status''] of freestanding colleges of 
podiatric medicine and programs of podiatric medicine, including first 
professional programs leading to the degree of Doctor of Podiatric 
Medicine)
    7. Council on Occupational Education (Requested scope of 
recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation [``Candidate for 
Accreditation''] of non-degree granting postsecondary occupational/
vocational institutions and those postsecondary occupational/vocational 
education institutions that grant the applied associate degree in 
specific vocational/occupational fields)
    8. National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education 
(Requested scope of recognition: the accreditation of professional 
education units providing baccalaureate and graduate degree programs 
for the preparation of teachers and other professional personnel for 
elementary and secondary schools)
    9. New York State Board of Regents (Current scope of recognition: 
the accreditation [registration] of collegiate degree-granting programs 
or curricula offered by institutions of higher education located in the 
State of New York and of credit-bearing certificate and diploma 
programs offered by degree-granting institutions of higher education 
located in the State of New York. Requested scope of recognition: the 
preaccreditation and accreditation of those degree-granting 
institutions in New York State that designate the Board of Regents as 
their sole nationally recognized accrediting agency or as their primary 
nationally recognized accrediting agency for purposes of establishing 
eligibility for HEA Title IV funds)
    10. North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Executive 
Board of the Commission on Schools (Requested scope of recognition: the 
accreditation and preaccreditation [``Candidate for Accreditation''] 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 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. Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.
    2. Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training
    3. Accreditation Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of 
Technology
    4. Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc.
    5. Association of Theological Schools in the United States and 
Canada, Commission on Accrediting
    6. Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education, 
Commission on Accreditation
    7. North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on 
Institutions of Higher Education
    8. New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on 
Institutions of Higher Education
    9. Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on 
Colleges
    10. Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting 
Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
    11. Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting 
Commission for Schools

State Agencies Recognized for the Approval of Public Postsecondary 
Vocational Education

Petition for Renewal of Recognition

    1. Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

Interim Report

    1. Missouri State Board of Education

State Agencies Recognized for the Approval of Nurse Education

Interim Report

    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 so 
that the request is received no later than November 16, 2000. Your 
request (no more than 6 pages maximum) 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.

    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 distribute written materials at the meeting or send 
materials directly to Committee members.
    Only 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. Documents received 
after the November 16, 2000 deadline will not be distributed to the 
Advisory Committee for their consideration.

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 
June 13, 2000. 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, Room 7105, 1990 
K St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006 between the hours of 9:00 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.

[[Page 57806]]

What Agencies Will be Postponed for Review until the May 2001 
Meeting?

    The agency listed below, which was originally scheduled for review 
during the Committee's December 2000 meeting, will be postponed for 
review until the Committee's May 2001 meeting. Any third-party written 
comments regarding these agencies that were received by July 28, 2000, 
in accordance with the Federal Register notice published on June 13, 
2000, will become part of the official record and will be considered by 
the Committee in its deliberations at the May 2001 meeting. There will 
be another opportunity to provide written comments on this agency next 
winter; a Federal Register notice requesting comments on all agencies 
scheduled for review at the May 2001 meeting will be published in 
January 2001.

Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies

Petition for Initial Recognition

    1. Teacher Education Accreditation Council (Requested scope of 
recognition: the accreditation of professional education programs in 
institutions offering baccalaureate and graduate degrees for the 
preparation of teachers and other professional personnel for elementary 
and secondary schools)

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. Appendix 2

A. Lee Fritschler,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 00-24662 Filed 9-25-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P