[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 195 (Wednesday, October 10, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57545-57548]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-19874]


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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 
(3-5 minutes) before the Committee. In all instances, your comments 
about agencies seeking initial recognition, continued recognition and/
or an expansion of an agency's scope of recognition must relate to the 
Criteria for Recognition. In addition, your comments for any agency 
whose interim report is scheduled for review must relate to the issues 
raised and the Criteria for Recognition cited in the Secretary's letter 
that requested the interim report. 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 Tuesday, December 18, 2007, from 
8:30 a.m. until approximately 5:30 p.m. and on Wednesday, December 19, 
2007, from 8:30 a.m. until approximately 12 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. Melissa Lewis, 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 7127, 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 18-19, 
2007 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 Optometric Association, Accreditation Council on 
Optometric Education (Current 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 Pending for optometric 
residency programs in Veterans' Administration facilities.)
    (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 for professional optometric degree programs and Candidacy 
Pending for optometric residency programs in Department of Veterans' 
Affairs facilities.)
Petitions for Renewal of Recognition That Includes an Expansion of the 
Scope of Recognition
    1. 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 free-standing institutions and

[[Page 57546]]

units offering art/design and art/design-related programs (both degree- 
and non-degree-granting), including those offered via distance 
education.)
    2. 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 free-standing institutions and units offering dance 
and dance-related programs (both degree- and non-degree-granting), 
including those offered via distance education.)
    3. National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on 
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 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 free-standing institutions and units offering music 
and music-related programs (both degree- and non-degree-granting), 
including those offered via distance education.)
    4. 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 free-standing institutions and units offering theatre 
and theatre-related programs (both degree- and non-degree-granting), 
including those offered via distance education.)
    5. 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, including 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.)
    (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 associate's, bachelor's, master's, and/
or doctoral degrees, including 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.)
    6. 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, and Wyoming, including schools of the 
Navajo Nation and the accreditation of programs offered via distance 
education within these institutions. This recognition extends to the 
Institutional Actions Committee jointly with the Board of Trustees of 
the Commission for decisions on cases for continued accreditation or 
reaffirmation, and continued candidacy. This recognition also extends 
to the Review Committee of the Accreditation Review Council jointly 
with the Board of Trustees of the Commission for decisions on cases for 
continued accreditation or candidacy and for initial candidacy or 
initial accreditation when there is a consensus decision by the Review 
Committee.)
    (Requested 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, and Wyoming, including the tribal institutions and 
the accreditation of programs offered via distance education within 
these institutions. This recognition extends to the Institutional 
Actions Committee jointly with the Board of Trustees of the Commission 
for decisions on cases for continued accreditation or reaffirmation, 
and continued candidacy. This recognition also extends to the Review 
Committee of the Accreditation Review Council jointly with the Board of 
Trustees of the Commission for decisions on cases for continued 
accreditation or candidacy and for initial candidacy or initial 
accreditation when there is a consensus decision by the Review 
Committee.)
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 continuing 
education programs and those that offer occupational associate degree 
programs and those that offer such programs via distance education.)
    (Requested scope of recognition: The accreditation throughout the 
United States of institutions of higher education that offer continuing 
education coursework and vocational programs that confer certificates 
or occupational associate degree, including those programs offered via 
distance education.)
    2. 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.)
    3. Midwifery Education Accreditation Council (Current and requested 
scope of recognition: The accreditation and preaccreditation throughout 
the United States of direct-entry midwifery educational institutions 
and programs conferring degrees and certificates, including the 
accreditation of such programs offered via distance education.)
    4. Northwest 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 and the accreditation of 
such programs offered via distance education within these 
institutions.)
    (Requested scope of recognition: The accreditation and 
preaccreditation (``Candidacy status'') of postsecondary degree-
granting educational institutions in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, 
Oregon, Utah, and Washington and the accreditation of such programs 
offered

[[Page 57547]]

via distance education within these institutions.)
    5. 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, and the accreditation of such programs offered via 
distance education at these colleges.)
    (Requested scope of recognition: The accreditation and 
preaccreditation (``Candidate for Accreditation'') of two-year, 
Associate degree granting institutions 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 such programs offered via distance education at 
these colleges.)
    Interim Reports (An interim report is a follow-up report on an 
accrediting agency's compliance with specific criteria for 
recognition.)
    1. Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.
    2. Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.
    3. American College of Nurse-Midwives, Division of Accreditation.
    4. The Council on Chiropractic Education, Commission on 
Accreditation.
    5. National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and 
Sciences.
    6. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on 
Colleges.
Expansion of Scope
    1. The Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on 
Accreditation (Current scope of 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 of institutions of biblical higher education in the 
United States offering undergraduate programs through both campus-based 
instruction and distance education.)
    2. Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology 
(Current scope of recognition: The accreditation of educational 
programs in radiography, including magnetic resonance, radiation 
therapy, and medical dosimetry, at the certificate, associate, and 
baccalaureate levels.)
    (Requested scope of recognition: The accreditation of educational 
programs in radiography, magnetic resonance, radiation therapy, and 
medical dosimetry, including those offered through distance education, 
at the certificate, associate, and baccalaureate levels.)

State Agency Recognized for the Approval of Public Postsecondary 
Vocational Education

Petition for Renewal of Recognition
    1. Puerto Rico State Agency for the Approval of Public 
Postsecondary Vocational, Technical Institutions and Programs
    The agency listed below, which was originally scheduled for review 
during the National Advisory Committee's December 2007 meeting, will be 
postponed to a future meeting.
Proposed Master's Degree-Granting Authority
    1. United States Naval Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, Maryland 
(request to award a Master's of Science in Flight Test Engineering 
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 November 19, 2007. 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 November 19, 2007 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 
August 1 and September 11, 2007. 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. Lewis 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

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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.

    Dated: October 2, 2007.
Diane Auer Jones,
Assistant Secretary, Office of Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. E7-19874 Filed 10-9-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P