[Federal Register: March 14, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 50)]
[Notices]
[Page 12158-12159]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14mr97-46]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Recognition of Accrediting Agencies
AGENCY: Department of Education.
ACTION: Request for comments on an accrediting agency appealing a
previous recommendation of the National Advisory Committee on
Institutional Quality and Integrity to withdraw its recognition.
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DATES: Commentors should submit their written comments by April 14,
1997 to the address below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Karen W. Kershenstein, Director, Accreditation and State Liaison
Division, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Room 3915 ROB-3, Washington, DC 20202-5244, telephone: (202) 708-7417.
Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may
call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 between 8
a.m. and 7 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday.
SUBMISSION OF THIRD-PARTY COMMENTS: The Secretary of Education is
required by law to publish a list of accrediting agencies that he
determines to be reliable authorities regarding the quality of
education or training offered by institutions or programs they
accredit. The National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and
Integrity (the ``Advisory Committee'') advises the Secretary on
specific accrediting agencies that seek to be recognized by the
Secretary.
The National League for Nursing was reviewed by the Advisory
Committee at its June 1996 meeting, at which time it recommended that
the agency's recognition be withdrawn. The agency appealed that
recommendation, in accordance with the provisions set forth in 34 CFR
602.13 of the regulations governing the recognition of accrediting
agencies. The Secretary has reviewed the agency's appeal and has
decided to remand the matter to the Advisory Committee for review. The
Advisory
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Committee will consider the case at its June 16-18, 1997 meeting.
The purpose of this notice is to invite interested third parties to
present written comments on the National League for Nursing. In order
for Department staff to give full consideration to the comments
received, the comments must arrive at the address listed above not
later than April 14, 1997. Comments must relate directly to the
Secretary's Criteria for the Recognition of Accrediting Agencies. All
written comments received by the Department in response to this notice
will be considered by both the Advisory Committee and the Secretary.
A subsequent Federal Register notice will announce the meeting and
invite individuals and/or groups to submit requests for oral
presentation before the Advisory Committee on this agency and the other
agencies being reviewed at that meeting. That notice, however, does not
constitute another call for written comment. This notice is the only
call for written comment on the National League for Nursing, which, as
indicated above, is appealing the previous recommendation of the
Advisory Committee to withdraw its recognition.
Public Inspection of Petitions and Third-Party Comments
All third-party comments received in response to this call for
comment, as well as the agency's original petition and supporting
documentation, the Department staff analysis of that petition, the
agency's appeals materials, and its most recent submission, which the
Secretary requested by March 1, 1997, will be available for public
inspection at the U.S. Department of Education, ROB-3, Room 3915, 7th
and D Streets, SW., Washington, DC 20202-5244, telephone (202) 708-7417
between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,
until June 2, 1997.
Dated: March 10, 1997.
David A. Longanecker,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 97-6416 Filed 3-13-97; 8:45 am]
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