Learning outcomes are described as written statements of what a learner is expected to know, understand and/or be able to do at the end of a period of learning. At the beginning of the 90s, a EU pilot project on ECTS showed that study programmes were much easier to compare if they were described in terms of outcomes, instead of inputs. The…

To improve student retention in distance education, Simpson suggested in 2003 that institutions analyse their own retention characteristics and "spot the leaks." In 2008 the Centre for Distance Learning at Laidlaw College, New Zealand, employed two part-time academic support coordinators in an effort to improve student retention and…

This paper measures the technical efficiency of 16 selected colleges and universities in Metro Manila, Philippines, using academic data for the SY 2001-2005. Using the data envelopment analysis (DEA), on average, schools posted 0.807 index score and need additional 19.3% efficiency growth to be efficient. Overall, there are top four efficient…

In 2009, Australian teacher education finally sees a series of graduate teacher standards that is designed as national benchmarking for those completing initial teacher education. The draft standards represent considerable negotiation and discourse by the various jurisdictions. They are being fine tuned in readiness for adoption across Australia…

In April 2007, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities- (APLU-) Sloan National Commission on Online Learning was created through a generous grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The purpose of the Commission was to engage the presidents, chancellors, and other institutional leaders in a unique, comprehensive discussion of the…

Recent analyses of state-level proficiency standards under No Child Left Behind indicate that states' benchmarks for determining whether a child is proficient in reading and math are widely divergent. This article explores whether the capacity of states to employ different proficiency standards imposes different performance standards across…

Leadership coaching has become vitally important to today's most successful businesses. This book is a landmark resource that presents a variety of perspectives and best practices from today's top executive coaches. It provides valuable guidance on exactly what the best coaches are now doing to get the most out of leaders, for now and into the…

The purpose of this manuscript is to investigate the borrowing and use of three business principles, benchmarking, merit pay, and students as customers in higher education. This is accomplished by first looking into the borrowing of educational models. After which, the purpose of higher education and for-profit business is defined using a systems…

The Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach has provided many corporations with a tool for adapting to ongoing shifts in demands and resources, and it can offer academic settings similar assistance. CQI offers a mechanism for building a collaborative process that can help departments define their unique strengths and cultivate a distinctive…

Explains how training organizations in high-performance companies such as Motorola are different from those in low-performing ones. Identifies management practices: customer focus, training closer to customers, leadership, employee involvement, innovation, process improvement, improvement measurement, and change management. (JOW)

Discussion of benchmarking focuses on the use of internal and external benchmarking by special librarians. Highlights include defining types of benchmarking; historical development; benefits, including efficiency, improved performance, increased competitiveness, and better decision making; problems, including inappropriate adaptation; developing a…

Describes benchmarking, a process of finding the world-class examples of a product, service, or operational system, and adjusting products, services, or systems to meet or beat that standard. (JOW)

Discusses a survey conducted by the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) that provides preliminary evidence that companies that invest more heavily in training are more successful and profitable. Describes the free benchmarking service offered by ASTD. (Author/JOW)

Offers benchmarks for training including collection of data and clarification of its uses, explanation of the reasons for benchmarking, and use of a reliable data-collection tool. Demonstrates how benchmarking training increases understanding of how training is practiced. (JOW)

Many schools are moving to develop benchmark tests to monitor their students' progress toward state standards throughout the academic year. Benchmark tests can provide the ongoing information that schools need to guide instructional programs and to address student learning problems. The authors discuss six criteria that educators can use to…