[Federal Register: March 24, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 56)]
[Notices]               
[Page 15073-15075]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24mr05-36]                         

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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, June 13, 2005 from 8 
a.m. until approximately 4 p.m. in the Washington Room at the Hotel 
Washington, Pennsylvania Avenue at 15th Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20004. You may call the hotel on (202) 638-5900 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: Bonnie.LeBold@ed.gov.
    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.

[[Page 15074]]

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, an agency that has 
submitted an interim report, and an agency that has submitted a 
progress report.

What Agencies Will the Advisory Committee Review at the Meeting?

    The following agencies will be reviewed during the June 13, 2005 
meeting of the Advisory Committee:

Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies

Petitions for Renewal of Recognition

    1. Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (Current 
and requested scope of recognition: the accreditation of postsecondary, 
non-degree-granting English language programs and institutions in the 
United States.)
    2. Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (Current and requested 
scope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation 
throughout the United States of graduate-level, four-year naturopathic 
medical education programs leading to the Doctor of Naturopathic 
Medicine (N.M.D.) or Doctor of Naturopathy (N.D.).)
    3. National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences 
(Current scope of recognition: the accreditation of postsecondary 
schools and departments of cosmetology arts and sciences and massage 
therapy.) (Requested scope of recognition: the accreditation throughout 
the United States of postsecondary schools and departments of 
cosmetology arts and sciences and massage therapy.) NOTE: The requested 
scope differs from that listed in the February 1, 2005 Federal Register 
notice that invited third-party written comments. The agency has 
withdrawn its request for an expansion of scope to encompass the 
accreditation of occupational associate degree programs in cosmetology 
and related fields.
    4. Teacher Education Accreditation Council, Accreditation Committee 
(Current scope of recognition: the accreditation of professional 
teacher education programs in institutions offering baccalaureate and 
graduate degrees for the preparation of K-12 teachers.) (Requested 
scope of recognition: The accreditation and preaccreditation throughout 
the United States of professional teacher education programs in 
institutions offering baccalaureate and graduate degrees for the 
preparation of K-12 teachers.)
    Interim Report (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. Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, 
Commission on Accrediting
    Progress Report (A report describing the agency's implementation of 
its new standards and accreditation process.)
    1. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on 
Colleges

State Agency 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)

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 May 
23, 2005. 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 May 23, 2005 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. Requests for written comments on agencies that are being 
reviewed during this meeting were published in the Federal Register on 
February 1, 2005. The 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 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.

[[Page 15075]]

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.

    Dated: March 16, 2005.
Sally L. Stroup,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 05-5796 Filed 3-23-05; 8:45 am]

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