[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 55 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13131-13133]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-6841]


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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 3, 2002 from 9:30 a.m. 
until 6:00 p.m., on June 4, 2002 from 8:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., and on 
June 5, 2002 from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Wyndham City Center 
Hotel, 1143 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037. You may 
call the hotel at (202) 775-0800 or 1-800-526-7495 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: [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 the review of agencies that have 
submitted petitions for initial recognition or renewal of recognition, 
requested an expansion of scope, or submitted interim reports.

What Agencies Will the Advisory Committee Review at the Meeting?

    The Advisory Committee will review the following agencies during 
its June 3-5, 2002 meeting.

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 K-12)

Petitions for Renewal of Recognition

    1. American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Council on 
Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (Current scope 
of recognition: the accreditation of institutions and programs of nurse 
anesthesia at the certificate, master's, or doctoral degree levels)
    2. Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools, 
Accreditation Commission (Current scope of recognition: the 
accreditation and preaccreditation (``Correspondent'' and 
``Candidate'') of advanced rabbinical and Talmudic schools)
    3. American Board of Funeral Service Education, Committee on 
Accreditation (Current scope of recognition: the accreditation of 
institutions and programs awarding diplomas, associate degrees and 
bachelor's degrees in funeral service or mortuary science)
    4. Accrediting Commission on Education for Health Services 
Administration (Current scope of recognition: the accreditation 
throughout the United States of graduate programs in health services 
administration)
    5. The American Dietetic Association, Commission on Accreditation 
for Dietetics Education (Current scope of recognition: the 
accreditation of Coordinated Programs in Dietetics at both the 
undergraduate and graduate level, postbaccalaureate Dietetic 
Internships, and Dietetic Technician Programs at the associate degree 
level) (Requested expansion of scope of recognition: the current scope 
of recognition to include the accreditation of Didactic Programs in 
Dietetics at both the undergraduate and graduate level, and its 
accreditation of programs offered via distance education.)
    6. Council on Education for Public Health (Current scope of 
recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation (``Preaccreditation 
Status'') of graduate schools of public health, graduate programs in 
community health education outside schools of public health, and 
graduate programs in community health/preventive medicine outside 
schools of public health)

[[Page 13132]]

    7. Liaison Committee on Medical Education (Current scope of 
recognition: the accreditation of medical education programs leading to 
the M.D. degree)
    8. Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on 
Higher Education (Current scope of recognition: the accreditation and 
preaccreditation (``Candidate Status'') of institutions in Delaware, 
the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, 
Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Republic of Panama and a 
limited number of freestanding American-style institutions abroad that 
are chartered or licensed by an appropriate agency within the Middle 
States region)
    9. National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health, 
Council on Accreditation (Current scope of recognition: the 
accreditation of women's health nurse practitioner programs located 
within the United States and its territories)
    10. New York Board of Regents (Current scope of recognition: The 
accreditation (registration) of collegiate degree-granting programs or 
curricula offered by institutions of higher education in the State of 
New York and of credit-bearing certificate and diploma programs offered 
by degree-granting institutions of higher education in the State of New 
York)
    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 Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
    2. American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Commission 
on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education
    3. American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal 
Education and Admissions to the Bar
    4. American Osteopathic Association, Bureau of Professional 
Education
    5. American Podiatric Medical Association, Council on Podiatric 
Medical Education
    6. Council on Occupational Education
    7. Midwifery Education Accreditation Council
    8. National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
    9. North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Executive 
Board of the Commission on Schools

State Agencies Recognized for the Approval of Public Postsecondary 
Vocational Education

Petition for Renewal of Recognition

    1. New York State Board of Regents (Public Postsecondary Vocational 
Education)

Interim Report

    1. Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

State Agencies Recognized for the Approval of Nurse Education

Petition for Initial Recognition

    1. North Dakota Board of Nursing

Petition for Renewal of Recognition

    1. New York State Board of Regents (Nursing Education)

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 May 10, 2002. Your request 
(no more than 6 pages maximum) must include:

     The names, addresses, phone numbers, and fax numbers 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 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 10, 2002 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 1, 2002. 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.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html.


    Authority: 5 U.S.C. Appendix 2.


[[Page 13133]]


    Dated: March 14, 2002.
Kenneth W. Tolo,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning, and Innovation, 
Office of Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 02-6841 Filed 3-20-02; 8:45 am]
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