[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 165 (Friday, August 25, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50403-50405]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-14164]


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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 Monday, December 4, 2006, from 9 
a.m. until approximately 5:30 p.m.; on Tuesday, December 5, 2006, from 
8:30 a.m. until approximately 5:30 p.m., and on Wednesday, December 6, 
2006, from 8:30 a.m. until approximately 3:30 p.m. in the Mt. Vernon 
Rooms A and B at The Madison, 1177 Fifteenth Street, NW., Washington, 
DC 20005. You may call the hotel at (202) 862-1600 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. Francesca Paris-Albertson, 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 7110, 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 renewal of recognition and/or an expansion of 
an agency's scope of recognition, and the review of agencies that have 
submitted an interim report.

What Agencies Will the National Advisory Committee Review at the 
Meeting?

    The following agencies will be reviewed during the December 4-6, 
2006 meeting of the National Advisory Committee:

Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies

Petition for Renewal of Recognition That Includes a Contraction of the 
Scope of Recognition

    1. American Occupational Therapy Association, Accreditation Council 
for Occupational Therapy Education. (Current scope of recognition: The 
accreditation of entry-level professional occupational therapy 
educational programs offering the Baccalaureate Degree, Post-
baccalaureate Certificate, Professional Master's Degree, Combined 
Baccalaureate/Master's degree, and Doctoral Degree for the 
accreditation of occupational therapy assistant programs offering the 
Associate Degree or a Certificate; and for its accreditation of these 
programs offered via distance education.) (Requested scope of 
recognition: The accreditation of occupational therapy educational 
programs offering the professional master's degree, combined 
baccalaureate/master's degree, and occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) 
degree; the accreditation of occupational therapy assistant programs 
offering the associate degree or a certificate; and the accreditation 
of these programs offered via distance education.)

Petitions for Renewal of Recognition That Include an Expansion of the 
Scope of Recognition

    1. The Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on 
Accreditation. (Current scope of

[[Page 50404]]

recognition: The accreditation and preaccreditation (``Candidate for 
Accreditation'') of Bible colleges and institutes in the United States 
offering undergraduate programs.) (Requested scope of recognition: The 
accreditation and preaccreditation throughout the United States of 
institutions and programs of biblical higher education that award 
undergraduate certificates and degrees, and masters, and doctoral 
degrees including those programs offered via traditional and 
alternative [distance education] delivery systems.)
    2. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. (Current scope of 
recognition: The accreditation of nursing education programs in the 
United States, at the baccalaureate and graduate degree levels.) 
(Requested scope of recognition: The accreditation of nursing programs 
in the United States, at the baccalaureate and graduate degree levels, 
including programs offering distance education.)
    3. Distance Education and Training Council, Accrediting Commission. 
(Current scope of recognition: The accreditation of postsecondary 
institutions in the United States that offer degree programs primarily 
by the distance education method up through the first professional 
degree level, and are specifically certified by the agency as 
accredited for Title IV purposes; and the accreditation of 
postsecondary institutions in the United States not participating in 
Title IV that offer programs primarily by the distance education method 
up through the first professional degree level.) (Requested scope of 
recognition: The accreditation of postsecondary institutions in the 
United States that offer degree programs primarily by the distance 
education method from the associate up to and including the 
professional doctoral degree, and are specifically certified by the 
agency as accredited for Title IV purposes; and the accreditation of 
postsecondary institutions in the United States not participating in 
Title IV that offer programs primarily by the distance education method 
from the associates up through the professional doctoral degrees.)
    4. Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools. (Current 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.) (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 Virgin 
Islands including programs offered all or in part via distance 
education modalities at those institutions.)
    5. National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. (Current 
scope of recognition: The accreditation in the United States of 
programs in practical nursing, and diploma, associate, baccalaureate 
and higher degree nurse education programs.) (Requested scope of 
recognition: The accreditation in the United States of programs in 
practical nursing, diploma, associate, baccalaureate and graduate 
degree nurse education programs including those that offer such 
programs via distance education.)

Petition for an Expansion of the Scope

    1. Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting 
Commission for Schools. (Current scope of recognition: The 
accreditation and preaccreditation (``Candidate for Accreditation'') of 
adult and postsecondary schools that offer programs below the degree 
level 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 
adult and postsecondary schools that offer programs below the degree 
level 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 and 
preaccreditation of not-for-profit postsecondary non-degree-granting 
institutions in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and 
Washington.)

Petitions for Renewal of Recognition

    1. American Academy for Liberal Education. (Current and requested 
scope of recognition: The accreditation and preaccreditation 
(``Candidacy for Accreditation'') of institutions of higher education 
and programs within institutions of higher education throughout the 
United States that offer liberal arts degree(s) at the baccalaureate 
level or a documented equivalency.)
    2. American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal 
Education and Admissions to the Bar. (Current and requested scope of 
recognition: The accreditation throughout the United States of programs 
in legal education that lead to the first professional degree in law, 
as well as freestanding law schools offering such programs.)
    3. American Physical Therapy Association, Commission on 
Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. (Current and requested 
scope of recognition: The accreditation and preaccreditation 
(``Candidate for Accreditation'') in the United States of physical 
therapist education programs leading to the first professional degree 
at the master's or doctoral level and physical therapist assistant 
education programs at the associate degree level and for its 
accreditation of such programs offered via distance education.)
    4. American Veterinary Medical Association, Council on Education. 
(Current and requested scope of recognition: The accreditation and 
preaccreditation (``Reasonable Assurance'') in the United States of 
programs leading to professional degrees (D.V.M. or D.M.V.) in 
veterinary medicine.)
    5. Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc., Accreditation 
Commission. (Current and requested scope of recognition: The 
accreditation of both clinical pastoral education (CPE) centers and CPE 
and Supervisory CPE programs located within the United States and 
territories.)
    6. Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting 
Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities. (Current and requested 
scope of recognition: The accreditation and preaccreditation 
(``Candidate for Accreditation'') of senior colleges and universities 
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, including distance education programs 
offered at those institutions.)

Interim Reports

(An interim report is a follow-up report on an accrediting agency's 
compliance with specific criteria for recognition.)

    1. Council on Naturopathic Medical Education.
    2. North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School 
Improvement, Board of Trustees.

[[Page 50405]]

State Agencies Recognized for the Approval of Public Postsecondary 
Vocational Education

Renewal Petitions

    1. Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education. (Current and 
requested 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.)
    2. Pennsylvania State Board of Vocational Education, Bureau of 
Career and Technical Education.

Interim Reports

    1. New York State Board of Regents (Public Postsecondary Vocational 
Education).
    2. Puerto Rico State Agency for the Approval of Public 
Postsecondary Vocational, Technical Institutions and Programs.

State Agency Recognized for the Approval of Nurse Education

Petition for Renewal of Recognition

    1. 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. National Defense University, Washington, DC (request to award a 
Master's in Arts in Strategic Security Studies degree).

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 
identified earlier in this notice so that the request is received via 
mail, fax, or e-mail no later than October 2, 2006. 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 October 2, 2006 deadline 
will not be distributed to the National 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. Requests for written comments on agencies that are being 
reviewed during this meeting were published in the Federal Register on 
July 26, 2006. The National Advisory Committee will receive and 
consider only written comments submitted by the deadline specified in 
the above-referenced 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 National Advisory 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. Paris-Albertson 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/index.html.


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

James F. Manning,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
 [FR Doc. E6-14164 Filed 8-24-06; 8:45 am]
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