[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 193 (Friday, October 4, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62234-62238]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-25210]


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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.

[[Page 62235]]

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 2, 2002 from 10 a.m. 
until 5:30 p.m., on December 3, 2002 from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., 
and on December 4, 2002 from 8:30 a.m. until approximately 12 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 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:
    [sbull] The establishment and enforcement of the criteria for 
recognition of accrediting agencies or associations under subpart 2 of 
part H of Title IV, HEA.
    [sbull] The recognition of specific accrediting agencies or 
associations.
    [sbull] The preparation and publication of the list of nationally 
recognized accrediting agencies and associations.
    [sbull] The eligibility and certification process for institutions 
of higher education under Title IV, HEA.
    [sbull] 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.
    [sbull] 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.
    [sbull] 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, requested an expansion 
of scope, or submitted interim reports. The agenda will also include 
the review of a Federal institution that has requested degree-granting 
authority for a master's program. The agencies listed below, which were 
tentatively scheduled for review during the National Advisory 
Committee's December 2002 meeting, will be postponed for review until a 
future meeting.

Petitions for Initial Recognition

    [sbull] Commission on English Language Program Accreditation 
(Requested scope of recognition: The accreditation of postsecondary 
English language programs and institutions in the United States)
    [sbull] Teacher Education Accreditation Council (Requested scope of 
recognition: The accreditation throughout the United States of 
professional education programs in institutions offering baccalaureate 
and graduate degrees for the preparation of teachers K-12)
    Any third-party written comments regarding these agencies that were 
received by September 9, 2002, in accordance with the Federal Register 
notice published on July 24, 2002, will become part of the official 
record. Those comments will be considered by the National Advisory 
Committee when it reviews the agency's petition for initial recognition 
at a future meeting. Another opportunity to provide written comments on 
the agency prior to that meeting will be announced in a Federal 
Register notice requesting written comments.
    The agency listed below, originally scheduled for review at the 
National Advisory Committee's December 2002 meeting, will not be 
reviewed for the reason specified.

Petition for Renewal of Recognition

    [sbull] Utah State Board for Applied Technology Education
    This agency, because of recent State legislative changes, is not 
seeking renewal of recognition.

What Agencies Will the Advisory Committee Review at the Meeting?

    The Advisory Committee will review the following agencies during 
its December 2-4, 2002 meeting.

Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies

Petitions for Renewal of Recognition
    1. Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training 
(Current scope of recognition: The accreditation of institutions of 
higher education throughout the United States that offer non-collegiate 
continuing education programs and those that offer occupational 
associate degree programs.) (Requested scope of recognition: The 
accreditation of institutions of higher education throughout the United 
States that offer non-collegiate continuing education programs and 
those that offer occupational associate degree programs, including 
programs offered via distance education.)
    2. American Optometric Association, Accreditation Council on 
Optometric Education (Current and Requested scope of recognition: The 
accreditation in the United States of professional optometric degree 
programs, optometric technician (associate degree) programs, and 
optometric residency programs and for the preaccreditation categories 
of Preliminary Approval and Reasonable Assurance for professional 
optometric degree programs and Candidacy

[[Page 62236]]

Pending for optometric residency programs in Veterans' Administration 
facilities.)
    3. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Council on 
Academic Accreditation (Current scope of recognition: The accreditation 
and preaccreditation (Candidacy status) throughout the United States of 
Master's and doctoral-level degree programs in speech-language 
pathology and/or audiology.) (Requested scope of recognition: The 
accreditation and preaccreditation (``Accreditation Candidate'') 
throughout the United States of entry-level graduate education programs 
at the master's or doctoral level leading to the first professional or 
academic degree in audiology and/or speech-language pathology and the 
accreditation of these programs offered via distance education.)
    4. Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (Current scope of 
recognition: The accreditation throughout the United States of direct-
entry midwifery educational institutions and programs conferring 
degrees and certificates.) (Requested scope of recognition: The 
preaccreditation and accreditation throughout the United States of 
direct-entry midwifery educational institutions and programs conferring 
degrees and certificates, including the accreditation of programs 
offered via distance education.)
    5. National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on 
Accreditation (Current scope of recognition: The accreditation 
throughout the United States of institutions and units within 
institutions offering degree-granting and non-degree-granting programs 
in art and design and art and design-related disciplines.) (Requested 
scope of recognition: The accreditation throughout the United States of 
institutions and units within institutions offering degree-granting and 
non-degree-granting programs in art and design and art and design-
related disciplines, including programs offered via distance 
education.)
    6. National Association of Schools of Dance, Commission on 
Accreditation (Current scope of recognition: The accreditation 
throughout the United States of institutions and units within 
institutions offering degree-granting and non-degree-granting programs 
in dance and dance-related disciplines.) (Requested scope of 
recognition: The accreditation throughout the United States of 
institutions and units within institutions offering degree-granting and 
non-degree-granting programs in dance and dance-related disciplines, 
including programs offered via distance education.)
    7. National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on 
Accreditation, Commission on Non-Degree-Granting Accreditation, 
Commission on Community/Junior College Accreditation (Current scope of 
recognition: The accreditation throughout the United States of 
institutions and units within institutions offering degree-granting and 
non-degree-granting programs in music and music-related disciplines, 
including community/junior colleges and independent degree-granting and 
non-degree-granting institutions.) (Requested scope of recognition: The 
accreditation throughout the United States of institutions, including 
community/junior colleges and independent degree-granting and non-
degree-granting institutions, and units within institutions offering 
degree-granting and non-degree-granting programs in music and music-
related disciplines, including programs offered via distance 
education.)
    8. National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on 
Accreditation (Current scope of recognition: The accreditation 
throughout the United States of institutions and units within 
institutions offering degree-granting and non-degree-granting programs 
in theatre and theatre-related disciplines.) (Requested scope of 
recognition: The accreditation throughout the United States of 
institutions and units within institutions offering degree-granting and 
non-degree-granting programs in theatre and theatre-related 
disciplines, including programs offered via distance education.)
    9. New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on 
Institutions of Higher Education (Current scope of recognition: The 
accreditation and preaccreditation (``Candidacy status'') of 
institutions of higher education in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, 
New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont that award bachelor's, 
master's, and/or doctoral degrees and associate degree-granting 
institutions in those states that include degrees in liberal arts or 
general studies among their offerings. This recognition extends to the 
Board of Trustees of the Association jointly with the Commission for 
decisions involving preaccreditation, initial accreditation, and 
adverse actions.) (Requested scope of recognition: The accreditation 
and preaccreditation (``Candidacy status'') of institutions of higher 
education in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode 
Island, and Vermont that award bachelor's, master's, and/or doctoral 
degrees and associate degree-granting institutions in those states that 
include degrees in liberal arts or general studies among their 
offerings, and the accreditation of programs offered via distance 
education within these institutions. This recognition extends to the 
Board of Trustees of the Association jointly with the Commission for 
decisions involving preaccreditation, initial accreditation, and 
adverse actions.)
    10. New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on 
Technical and Career Institutions (Current scope of recognition: The 
accreditation and preaccreditation (``Candidate status'') of secondary 
institutions with vocational-technical programs at the 13th and 14th 
grade level, postsecondary institutions, and institutions of higher 
education that provide primarily vocational/technical education at the 
certificate, associate, and baccalaureate degree levels in Connecticut, 
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. This 
recognition extends to the Board of Trustees of the Association jointly 
with the Commission for decisions involving preaccreditation, initial 
accreditation, and adverse actions.) (Requested scope of recognition: 
The accreditation and preaccreditation (``Candidate status'') of 
secondary institutions with vocational-technical programs at the 13th 
and 14th grade level, postsecondary institutions, and institutions of 
higher education that provide primarily vocational/technical education 
at the certificate, associate, and baccalaureate degree levels in 
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and 
Vermont, and the accreditation of programs offered via distance 
education within these institutions. This recognition extends to the 
Board of Trustees of the Association jointly with the Commission for 
decisions involving preaccreditation, initial accreditation, and 
adverse actions.)
    11. North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher 
Learning Commission (Current scope of recognition: The accreditation 
and preaccreditation (``Candidate for Accreditation'') of degree-
granting institutions of higher 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, including schools of the 
Navajo Nation.) (Requested scope of recognition: The accreditation and 
preaccreditation (``Candidate for Accreditation'') of degree-granting

[[Page 62237]]

institutions of higher 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, including schools of the Navajo Nation, 
and the accreditation of programs offered via distance education within 
these institutions.)
    12. Northwest Association of Schools and of Colleges and 
Universities, Commission on Colleges and Universities (Current scope of 
recognition: The accreditation and preaccreditation (``Candidacy 
status'') of postsecondary educational institutions in Alaska, Idaho, 
Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.) (Requested scope of 
recognition: The accreditation and preaccreditation (``Candidacy 
status'') of postsecondary educational institutions in Alaska, Idaho, 
Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, and the accreditation of 
programs offered via distance education within these institutions.)
    13. Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting 
Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (Current scope of 
recognition: The accreditation and preaccreditation (``Candidate for 
Accreditation'') of community and junior colleges located 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 community and 
junior colleges located 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 of programs offered via distance education at these 
colleges.)
Petition for an Expansion of Scope
    1. National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences 
(Current scope of recognition: The accreditation of postsecondary 
schools and departments of cosmetology arts and sciences.) (Requested 
scope of recognition: The accreditation throughout the United States of 
postsecondary schools and departments of cosmetology arts and sciences 
and massage therapy.)
    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. Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
    2. American College of Nurse-Midwives, Division of Accreditation
    3. American Council on Pharmaceutical Education
    4. Commission on Opticianry Accreditation
    5. Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
    6. Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear 
Medicine Technology
    7. Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting 
Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities

State Agencies Recognized for the Approval of Public Postsecondary 
Vocational Education

Petition for Renewal of Recognition
    1. Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education (Current 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.)

State Agencies Recognized for the Approval of Nurse Education

Petition for Renewal of Recognition
    1. Iowa Board of Nursing.
    2. 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. U.S. Marine Corps University, Quantico, VA (request to award a 
master's degree of Operational Studies).

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 
November 8, 2002. Your request (no more than 6 pages maximum) must 
include:
    [sbull] The names, addresses, phone numbers, and fax numbers of all 
persons seeking an appearance,
    [sbull] The organization they represent, and
    [sbull] 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 November 8, 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, with the exception of the National 
Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences, was published 
in the Federal Register on July 24, 2002. A request for written 
comments on the petition for an expansion of scope submitted by the 
National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences will 
be

[[Page 62238]]

published in the Federal Register in the near future. The Advisory 
Committee will receive and consider only written comments submitted by 
the applicable deadlines specified in the Federal Register notices 
referenced above.

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.

    Dated: September 26, 2002.
Sally L. Stroup,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 02-25210 Filed 10-3-02; 8:45 am]
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