National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) Meeting, 67426-67429 [2011-28263]

Download as PDF 67426 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 211 / Tuesday, November 1, 2011 / Notices comments pertain to a specific topic being discussed at a planned meeting then these statements must be submitted no later than five business days prior to the meeting in question. The Designated Federal Officer will review all submitted written statements and provide copies to all the committee members. Dated: October 27, 2011. Aaron Siegel, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. [FR Doc. 2011–28229 Filed 10–31–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary Renewal of Department of Defense Federal Advisory Committees Department of Defense (DoD). Renewal of Federal Advisory Committee. AGENCY: ACTION: Under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, (5 U.S.C. Appendix), the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b), and 41 CFR 102– 3.50(d), the Department of Defense gives notice that it is renewing the charter for the Secretary of the Navy Advisory Panel (hereafter referred to as ‘‘the Panel’’). The Panel is a discretionary Federal advisory committee that shall provide the Secretary of Defense, through the Secretary of the Navy, independent advice and recommendations on critical matters concerning the Department of the Navy. The Panel’s focus will include the Navy energy program, the shipbuilding defense industrial base, Asia/Pacific engagement, intelligence organization and related maritime issues. The Panel reports to the Secretary of the Navy who is authorized to act upon the Panel’s advice and recommendations. The Panel shall be composed of no more than 15 members, who are eminent authorities in the fields of national security policy, intelligence, science, engineering, or energy and industry. Panel members appointed by the Secretary of Defense, who are not full-time or permanent part-time Federal officers or employees, shall be appointed to serve as experts and consultants under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 3109, and to serve as special government employees. Panel members shall be appointed on an annual basis by the Secretary of Defense, and with srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:04 Oct 31, 2011 Jkt 226001 the exception of travel and per diem for official travel, Panel members shall serve without compensation. The Secretary of the Navy shall select the Panel’s Chairperson from the total membership. All Panel members are appointed to provide advice on behalf of the government on the basis of their best judgment without representing any particular point of view and in a manner that is free from conflict of interest. With DoD approval, the Panel is authorized to establish subcommittees, as necessary and consistent with its mission. These subcommittees shall operate under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b), other governing Federal statutes and regulations, and governing DoD policies. Such subcommittees shall not work independently of the chartered Panel, and shall report all their recommendations and advice to the Panel for full deliberation and discussion. Subcommittees have no authority to make decisions on behalf of the chartered Panel; nor shall any subcommittee or its members report or update directly to the Department of Defense or any Federal officers or employees who are not Panel members. All subcommittee members shall be appointed in the same manner as the Panel members; that is, the Secretary of Defense shall appoint subcommittee members even if the member in question is already a Panel member. Such individuals, if not full-time or part-time government employees, shall be appointed to serve as experts and consultants under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 3109, and to serve as special government employees, whose appointments must be renewed on an annual basis. With the exception of travel, subcommittee members shall serve without compensation. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Freeman, Deputy Advisory Committee Management Officer for the Department of Defense, (703) 692–5952. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Panel shall meet at the call of the Designated Federal Officer, in consultation with the Secretary of the Navy and the Panel’s Chairperson and the estimated number of Panel meetings is three per year. The Designated Federal Officer, pursuant to DoD policy, shall be a fulltime or permanent part-time DoD employee, and shall be appointed in accordance with governing DoD policies and procedures. In addition, the Designated Federal Officer is required to be in attendance at all Panel and PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 subcommittee meetings for the entire duration of each and every meeting. However, in the absence of the Designated Federal Officer, the Alternate Designated Federal Officer shall attend the entire duration of the Panel or subcommittee meeting. Pursuant to 41 CFR 102–3.105(j) and 102–3.140, the public or interested organizations may submit written statements to the Secretary of the Navy Advisory Panel’s membership about the Panel’s mission and functions. Written statements may be submitted at any time or in response to the stated agenda of planned meeting of Secretary of the Navy Advisory Panel. All written statements shall be submitted to the Designated Federal Officer for the Secretary of the Navy Advisory Panel, and this individual will ensure that the written statements are provided to the membership for their consideration. Contact information for the Secretary of the Navy Advisory Panel’s Designated Federal Officer can be obtained from the GSA’s FACA Database—https://www.fido.gov/ facadatabase/public.asp. The Designated Federal Officer, pursuant to 41 CFR 102–3.150, will announce planned meetings of the Secretary of the Navy Advisory Panel. The Designated Federal Officer, at that time, may provide additional guidance on the submission of written statements that are in response to the stated agenda for the planned meeting in question. Dated: October 26, 2011. Aaron Siegel, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. [FR Doc. 2011–28148 Filed 10–31–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) Meeting National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education. ACTION: Notice of Amended Agenda and Procedures for Making Oral Comments at December 14–16, 2011 Open Meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI). AGENCY: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, 1990 K Street NW., Room 8060, Washington, DC 20006. SUMMARY: This notice sets forth changes to the December 14–16, 2011 NACIQI ADDRESS: E:\FR\FM\01NON1.SGM 01NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 211 / Tuesday, November 1, 2011 / Notices meeting agenda that was published in the August 17, 2011, Federal Register (76 FR 159); a complete listing of the agenda items for the December 14–16, 2011 NACIQI meeting, as revised; and information related to members of the public making oral comments at the meeting. The notice of this meeting is required under Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and Section 114(d)(1)(B) of the Higher Education Act (HEA). Meeting Date and Place: The NACIQI meeting will be held on December 14– 16, 2011, from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 5:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, except for December 16, 2011, when it is anticipated that the meeting will end mid-afternoon, at the Crowne Plaza Old Town Alexandria, Washington Ballroom, 901 North Fairfax, Alexandria, Virginia. Changes to Agenda: Since the publication of the August 17, 2011 Federal Register notice, the Department has added an item to the agenda: The review of an informational report on initial accrediting decisions since October 2010 by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools as required by the corrective actions report issued by the Department’s Office of Postsecondary Education on May 6, 2010. The NACIQI will not be making a recommendation to the Senior Department Official concerning the informational report from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Also, the Mississippi Institutes of Higher Learning Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Education has been removed from the December meeting agenda. Meeting Agenda: Below is a list of agencies and the current and requested scopes of recognition scheduled for review during the December 14–16, 2011 NACIQI meeting. Petitions for Renewal of Recognition srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Accrediting Agencies 1. American Podiatric Medical Association, Council on Podiatric Medical Education. (Current Scope: the accreditation and preaccreditation [‘‘Candidate Status’’] throughout the United States of freestanding colleges of podiatric medicine and programs of podiatric medicine, including first professional programs leading to the degree of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine). 2. The Council on Chiropractic Education, Commission on Accreditation. (Current Scope: The accreditation of programs leading to the Doctor of Chiropractic degree and VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:04 Oct 31, 2011 Jkt 226001 single-purpose institutions offering the Doctor of Chiropractic program). 3. Commission on English Language Program Accreditation. (Current Scope: The accreditation of postsecondary, non-degree-granting English language programs and institutions in the United States). 4. Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. (Current Scope: The accreditation of education programs in radiography, magnetic resonance, radiation therapy, and medical dosimetry, including those offered via distance education, at the certificate, associate, and baccalaureate levels). 5. North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, Board of Trustees. (Current Scope: The accreditation and preaccreditation [‘‘Candidacy Status’’] of schools offering non-degree, postsecondary education in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and in the Navajo Nation). State Approval Agencies for Nursing Education 1. Kansas State Board of Nursing. (Current Scope: A State agency for the approval of nurse education). 2. Maryland State Board of Nursing. (Current Scope: A State agency for the approval of nurse education). 3. New York State Board of Regents, State Education Department, Office of the Professions (Nursing Education). (Current Scope: A State agency for the approval of nurse education). State Approval Agencies for Postsecondary Education Vocational Education 1. New York State Board of Regents, State Education Department, Office of the Professions (Public Postsecondary Vocational Education, Practical Nursing). (Current Scope: State agency for the approval of public postsecondary vocational education in the field of practical nursing offered by the Board of Cooperative Educational Services, the Educational Opportunity Centers, and the New York City Board of Education to prepare persons for licensed practical nursing careers in the State of New York). 2. Pennsylvania State Board for Vocational Education, Bureau of Career and Technology Education. (Current Scope: State agency for the approval of public postsecondary vocational education). PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 67427 Petitions for Renewal of Recognition and Expansion of Scope to Include Distance Education Accrediting Agency 1. American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education. (Current Scope: the accreditation and preaccreditation [‘‘Candidacy’’] throughout the United States of clinical training programs in marriage and family therapy at the master’s, doctoral, and postgraduate levels. Requested Scope: The accreditation throughout the United States of clinical training programs in marriage and family therapy at the master’s, doctoral, and postgraduate levels, including programs offering distance education.) State Approval Agency for Postsecondary Education Vocational Education 1. Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education. (Current Scope: State agency for 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. Requested Scope: State agency for 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, including programs offered via distance education.) Compliance Reports Accrediting Agencies 1. American Optometric Education, Accreditation Council on Optometric Education. (Current Scope: 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). 2. Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. (Current Scope: 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 E:\FR\FM\01NON1.SGM 01NON1 67428 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 211 / Tuesday, November 1, 2011 / Notices Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, including the accreditation of such programs offered via distance education at these colleges]. Informational Report srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Accrediting Agency 1. The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. (Current Scope: 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, Wyoming, including tribal institutions, and the accreditation of programs offered via distance education with 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.) Instructions for Making a Third-Party Oral Comment at the December 2011 NACIQI Meeting: There are two methods the public may use to make a third-party oral comment of three to five minutes concerning one of the agencies scheduled for review during the December 14–16, 2011 meeting. Method One: Submit a written request by email in advance of the meeting to make a third-party oral presentation. All individuals or groups submitting an advance request in accordance with this notice will be afforded an opportunity to speak for a minimum of three minutes each. Each request must concern the recognition of a single agency scheduled in this notice for review, must be received no later than thirty days after the date of publication of this notice, and must be sent to aslrecordsmanager@ed.gov with the subject line ‘‘Oral Comments re: (agency name).’’ Your request (no more than one page maximum) must include: 1. The name, title, affiliation, mailing address, email address, telephone and facsimile numbers, and Web site (if any) VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:04 Oct 31, 2011 Jkt 226001 of the person/group requesting to speak, and 2. A brief summary of the principal points to be made during the oral presentation. Only requests made in accordance with these instructions will result in an opportunity to speak under this method. Individuals making oral presentations may not distribute written materials at the meeting. Please do not send material directly to the NACIQI members. Method Two: Register on December 14, 15, or 16, 2011, for an oral presentation opportunity during the NACIQI’s deliberations concerning a particular agency scheduled for review. The requester should provide his or her name, title, affiliation, mailing address, email address, telephone and facsimile numbers, and Web site (if any). A total of up to fifteen minutes during each agency’s review will be allotted for commenters who sign up the day of the meeting (in addition to those commenters who signed up in advance); and, if a person or group requests to make comments in advance, they cannot sign-up to make comments the day of the meeting. Individuals or groups that sign up on the day of the meeting will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. If selected, each commenter may speak from three to five minutes, depending on the number of individuals or groups who signed up the day of the meeting. The Committee may engage the commenter in discussion afterwards. Members of the public will be eligible for making third-party oral comments only in accordance with these instructions. The oral comments will become part of the official record and will be considered by the Department and the NACIQI in their deliberations. Individuals and groups making oral presentations may not distribute written materials at the meeting. Oral comments about agencies seeking continued recognition or presenting a compliance report must relate to the Criteria for the Recognition of Accrediting Agencies, the Criteria and Procedures for Recognition of State Agencies for Nurse Education, or the Criteria and Procedures for Recognition of State Agencies for Approval of Public Postsecondary Vocational Education, which are available at https:// www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/ index.html. If the Committee is reviewing an agency’s petition, comments must relate to whether the agency meets the Criteria for Recognition. If the Committee is reviewing an agency’s compliance/ interim report, comments must relate to the NACIQI’s area of consideration, which will be whether the agency has PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 demonstrated compliance with the specific criteria specified in the Department’s request for the report. Third parties having concerns about agencies regarding matters outside the scope of the requested compliance report should report those concerns to Department staff. Written Comments: This notice invites third-party oral testimony about the agencies scheduled for review, not written comment. Requests for written comments on agencies that are scheduled for review during the meeting were published in the Federal Register (76 FR 159) on August 17, 2011. The NACIQI will receive and consider only written comments that were submitted by the September 17, 2011 deadline specified in the above referenced Federal Register notice. Access to Records of the Meeting: The Department will post the official report of the meeting on the NACIQI Web site shortly after the meeting. Pursuant to the FACA, the public may also inspect the materials at 1990 K Street NW., Washington, DC, by emailing the aslrecordsmanager@ed.gov, or by calling (202) 219–7067 to schedule an appointment. Reasonable Accommodations: Individuals who will need accommodations for a disability in order to attend the December 14–16, 2011 meeting (i.e., interpreter services, assistive listening devices, and/or materials in alternative format) should contact department staff by telephone: (202) 219–7011; or, email: aslrecordsmanagement@ed.gov, no later than November 21, 2011. We will attempt to meet requests after this date but cannot guarantee the availability of the requested accommodation. The meeting site is accessible. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Melissa Lewis, Executive Director, NACIQI, U.S. Department of Education, Room 8060, 1990 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20006, telephone: (202) 219–7011; email: Melissa.Lewis@ed.gov. 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 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. NACIQI’S Statutory Authority and Functions: The NACIQI is established under Section 114 of the Higher Education Act (HEA) as amended, 20 U.S.C. 1011c. The NACIQI advises the Secretary of Education about: • The establishment and enforcement of the Criteria for Recognition of accrediting agencies or associations E:\FR\FM\01NON1.SGM 01NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 211 / Tuesday, November 1, 2011 / Notices under Subpart 2, Part H, Title IV, HEA, as amended. • The recognition of specific accrediting agencies or associations, or a specific State approval agency. • 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 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. Electronic Access to this Document: 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 via the Federal Digital System at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you can view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the site. You may also access documents of the Department published in the Federal Register by using the article search feature at: https:// www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the Department. Eduardo M. Ochoa, Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education. [FR Doc. 2011–28263 Filed 10–31–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) Meeting National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, Office of Postsecondary Education, U.S. Department of Education. ACTION: Opportunity for the public to make written comments and/or oral comments concerning the NACIQI’s report on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA). srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:04 Oct 31, 2011 Jkt 226001 This notice invites the public to submit written comments and requests to make oral comments concerning the NACIQI’s draft report on the reauthorization of the HEA. ADDRESSES: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, 1990 K Street NW., Room 8060, Washington, DC 20006. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NACIQI meeting will be held on December 14–16, 2011, from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 5:30 p.m., at the Crowne Plaza Old Town Alexandria, Washington Ballroom, 901 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. During the afternoons of December 15 and December 16, 2011, the Committee will consider its report on the reauthorization of the HEA. Agenda for the Portion of the Meeting Concerning the Committee’s Draft Report on the HEA: The portion of the meeting concerning the Committee’s draft report will consist of public comments and deliberations concerning the draft report to the Secretary of U.S. Department of Education on the reauthorization of the HEA. The report may be accessed at https://www2.ed.gov/ about/bdscomm/list/naciqi-dir/hearecommendations.doc and https:// www2.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/ naciqi-dir/hea-recommendations.pdf. Submission of Written Comments Concerning the Committee’s Draft Report on the Reauthorization of the HEA: Submitters should provide written comments as a Microsoft Word document that is attached to an electronic mail message (email) or provide comments in the body of an email message. Email messages must be received no later than November 25, 2011, to aslrecordsmanager@ed.gov with the subject line ‘‘Written Comments regarding the draft report on the reauthorization of the HEA: Option Letter and/or Number.’’ The Department intends to post the submissions on the NACIQI Web site. To help ensure accessibility to all interested parties, we are requesting that all submissions comply with the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, or be submitted in an electronic format that can be made accessible, such as Microsoft Word. However, we will accept comments in any electronic or written form provided, but comments submitted in other forms, which are inaccessible, will not be posted online. Instead, we will index the inaccessible comments received and make them available upon request. Also, if copyrighted materials are submitted, written permission to post the materials on the U.S. Department of Education’s SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 67429 NACIQI Web site must accompany the copyrighted materials. Only materials submitted by the deadline to the email address listed in this notice, and in accordance with these instructions, become part of the official record concerning the reauthorization of the HEA and are considered by the Department and the NACIQI in their deliberations. Do not send material directly to NACIQI members or to staff. Instructions for Requests to Make Oral Comments Concerning the Committee’s Draft Report on the Reauthorization of the HEA: There are two methods the public may use to make an oral comment concerning the Committee’s report on the reauthorization of the HEA. Method One: Submit a request by email in advance of the meeting to make an oral comment. All individuals or groups submitting an advance request in accordance with this notice will be afforded an opportunity to speak for up to a maximum of three minutes each. Each request must be received no later than November 18, 2011, and must be sent to aslrecordsmanager@ed.gov with the subject line ‘‘Oral Comment Request regarding the draft report on the reauthorization of the HEA: Option Letter and/or Number.’’ Your request (no more than one page maximum) must include: 1. The name, title, affiliation, mailing address, email address, telephone and facsimile numbers, and Web site (if any) of the person/group requesting to speak, and 2. A brief summary of the principal points to be made during the oral presentation. Do not send material directly to the NACIQI members or staff. Method Two: Register on December 16, 2011, for an opportunity to comment on the draft report. The requester should provide his or her name, title, affiliation, mailing address, email address, telephone and facsimile numbers, and Web site (if any). The requester should provide the ‘‘Option Letter and/or Number’’ for the item the requester wishes to address. Up to 30 minutes total will be divided among oral commenters who register (in addition to those commenters who signed up in advance). Individuals or groups that register to make oral comments on December 16. 2011, will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis for each issue reviewed. If selected, each commenter may speak from three to five minutes, depending on the number of individuals or groups who registered for an oral presentation opportunity for each issue. The E:\FR\FM\01NON1.SGM 01NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 211 (Tuesday, November 1, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67426-67429]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-28263]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and 
Integrity (NACIQI) Meeting

AGENCY: National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and 
Integrity, Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice of Amended Agenda and Procedures for Making Oral 
Comments at December 14-16, 2011 Open Meeting of the National Advisory 
Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI).

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ADDRESS: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary 
Education, 1990 K Street NW., Room 8060, Washington, DC 20006.
SUMMARY: This notice sets forth changes to the December 14-16, 2011 
NACIQI

[[Page 67427]]

meeting agenda that was published in the August 17, 2011, Federal 
Register (76 FR 159); a complete listing of the agenda items for the 
December 14-16, 2011 NACIQI meeting, as revised; and information 
related to members of the public making oral comments at the meeting. 
The notice of this meeting is required under Section 10(a)(2) of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and Section 114(d)(1)(B) of the 
Higher Education Act (HEA).
    Meeting Date and Place: The NACIQI meeting will be held on December 
14-16, 2011, from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 5:30 p.m., Eastern 
Standard Time, except for December 16, 2011, when it is anticipated 
that the meeting will end mid-afternoon, at the Crowne Plaza Old Town 
Alexandria, Washington Ballroom, 901 North Fairfax, Alexandria, 
Virginia.
    Changes to Agenda: Since the publication of the August 17, 2011 
Federal Register notice, the Department has added an item to the 
agenda: The review of an informational report on initial accrediting 
decisions since October 2010 by the Higher Learning Commission of the 
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools as required by the 
corrective actions report issued by the Department's Office of 
Postsecondary Education on May 6, 2010. The NACIQI will not be making a 
recommendation to the Senior Department Official concerning the 
informational report from the Higher Learning Commission of the North 
Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Also, the Mississippi 
Institutes of Higher Learning Board of Trustees of State Institutions 
of Higher Education has been removed from the December meeting agenda.
    Meeting Agenda: Below is a list of agencies and the current and 
requested scopes of recognition scheduled for review during the 
December 14-16, 2011 NACIQI meeting.

Petitions for Renewal of Recognition

Accrediting Agencies

    1. American Podiatric Medical Association, Council on Podiatric 
Medical Education. (Current Scope: the accreditation and 
preaccreditation [``Candidate Status''] throughout the United States of 
freestanding colleges of podiatric medicine and programs of podiatric 
medicine, including first professional programs leading to the degree 
of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine).
    2. The Council on Chiropractic Education, Commission on 
Accreditation. (Current Scope: The accreditation of programs leading to 
the Doctor of Chiropractic degree and single-purpose institutions 
offering the Doctor of Chiropractic program).
    3. Commission on English Language Program Accreditation. (Current 
Scope: The accreditation of postsecondary, non-degree-granting English 
language programs and institutions in the United States).
    4. Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. 
(Current Scope: The accreditation of education programs in radiography, 
magnetic resonance, radiation therapy, and medical dosimetry, including 
those offered via distance education, at the certificate, associate, 
and baccalaureate levels).
    5. North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School 
Improvement, Board of Trustees. (Current Scope: The accreditation and 
preaccreditation [``Candidacy Status''] of schools offering non-degree, 
postsecondary education in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, 
Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New 
Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, 
Wisconsin, Wyoming, and in the Navajo Nation).

State Approval Agencies for Nursing Education

    1. Kansas State Board of Nursing. (Current Scope: A State agency 
for the approval of nurse education).
    2. Maryland State Board of Nursing. (Current Scope: A State agency 
for the approval of nurse education).
    3. New York State Board of Regents, State Education Department, 
Office of the Professions (Nursing Education). (Current Scope: A State 
agency for the approval of nurse education).

State Approval Agencies for Postsecondary Education Vocational 
Education

    1. New York State Board of Regents, State Education Department, 
Office of the Professions (Public Postsecondary Vocational Education, 
Practical Nursing). (Current Scope: State agency for the approval of 
public postsecondary vocational education in the field of practical 
nursing offered by the Board of Cooperative Educational Services, the 
Educational Opportunity Centers, and the New York City Board of 
Education to prepare persons for licensed practical nursing careers in 
the State of New York).
    2. Pennsylvania State Board for Vocational Education, Bureau of 
Career and Technology Education. (Current Scope: State agency for the 
approval of public postsecondary vocational education).

Petitions for Renewal of Recognition and Expansion of Scope to Include 
Distance Education

Accrediting Agency

    1. American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Commission 
on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education. (Current 
Scope: the accreditation and preaccreditation [``Candidacy''] 
throughout the United States of clinical training programs in marriage 
and family therapy at the master's, doctoral, and postgraduate levels. 
Requested Scope: The accreditation throughout the United States of 
clinical training programs in marriage and family therapy at the 
master's, doctoral, and postgraduate levels, including programs 
offering distance education.)

State Approval Agency for Postsecondary Education Vocational Education

    1. Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education. (Current 
Scope: State agency for 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. Requested Scope: State agency for 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, including programs offered via distance 
education.)

Compliance Reports

Accrediting Agencies

    1. American Optometric Education, Accreditation Council on 
Optometric Education. (Current Scope: 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).
    2. Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting 
Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. (Current Scope: 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

[[Page 67428]]

Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, including 
the accreditation of such programs offered via distance education at 
these colleges].

Informational Report

Accrediting Agency

    1. The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association 
of Colleges and Schools. (Current Scope: 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, Wyoming, including tribal institutions, and the 
accreditation of programs offered via distance education with 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.)
    Instructions for Making a Third-Party Oral Comment at the December 
2011 NACIQI Meeting: There are two methods the public may use to make a 
third-party oral comment of three to five minutes concerning one of the 
agencies scheduled for review during the December 14-16, 2011 meeting.
    Method One: Submit a written request by email in advance of the 
meeting to make a third-party oral presentation. All individuals or 
groups submitting an advance request in accordance with this notice 
will be afforded an opportunity to speak for a minimum of three minutes 
each. Each request must concern the recognition of a single agency 
scheduled in this notice for review, must be received no later than 
thirty days after the date of publication of this notice, and must be 
sent to aslrecordsmanager@ed.gov with the subject line ``Oral Comments 
re: (agency name).'' Your request (no more than one page maximum) must 
include:
    1. The name, title, affiliation, mailing address, email address, 
telephone and facsimile numbers, and Web site (if any) of the person/
group requesting to speak, and
    2. A brief summary of the principal points to be made during the 
oral presentation.
    Only requests made in accordance with these instructions will 
result in an opportunity to speak under this method. Individuals making 
oral presentations may not distribute written materials at the meeting. 
Please do not send material directly to the NACIQI members.
    Method Two: Register on December 14, 15, or 16, 2011, for an oral 
presentation opportunity during the NACIQI's deliberations concerning a 
particular agency scheduled for review. The requester should provide 
his or her name, title, affiliation, mailing address, email address, 
telephone and facsimile numbers, and Web site (if any). A total of up 
to fifteen minutes during each agency's review will be allotted for 
commenters who sign up the day of the meeting (in addition to those 
commenters who signed up in advance); and, if a person or group 
requests to make comments in advance, they cannot sign-up to make 
comments the day of the meeting. Individuals or groups that sign up on 
the day of the meeting will be selected on a first-come, first-served 
basis. If selected, each commenter may speak from three to five 
minutes, depending on the number of individuals or groups who signed up 
the day of the meeting. The Committee may engage the commenter in 
discussion afterwards.
    Members of the public will be eligible for making third-party oral 
comments only in accordance with these instructions. The oral comments 
will become part of the official record and will be considered by the 
Department and the NACIQI in their deliberations. Individuals and 
groups making oral presentations may not distribute written materials 
at the meeting.
    Oral comments about agencies seeking continued recognition or 
presenting a compliance report must relate to the Criteria for the 
Recognition of Accrediting Agencies, the Criteria and Procedures for 
Recognition of State Agencies for Nurse Education, or the Criteria and 
Procedures for Recognition of State Agencies for Approval of Public 
Postsecondary Vocational Education, which are available at https://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/.
    If the Committee is reviewing an agency's petition, comments must 
relate to whether the agency meets the Criteria for Recognition. If the 
Committee is reviewing an agency's compliance/interim report, comments 
must relate to the NACIQI's area of consideration, which will be 
whether the agency has demonstrated compliance with the specific 
criteria specified in the Department's request for the report. Third 
parties having concerns about agencies regarding matters outside the 
scope of the requested compliance report should report those concerns 
to Department staff.
    Written Comments: This notice invites third-party oral testimony 
about the agencies scheduled for review, not written comment. Requests 
for written comments on agencies that are scheduled for review during 
the meeting were published in the Federal Register (76 FR 159) on 
August 17, 2011. The NACIQI will receive and consider only written 
comments that were submitted by the September 17, 2011 deadline 
specified in the above referenced Federal Register notice.
    Access to Records of the Meeting: The Department will post the 
official report of the meeting on the NACIQI Web site shortly after the 
meeting. Pursuant to the FACA, the public may also inspect the 
materials at 1990 K Street NW., Washington, DC, by emailing the 
aslrecordsmanager@ed.gov, or by calling (202) 219-7067 to schedule an 
appointment.
    Reasonable Accommodations: Individuals who will need accommodations 
for a disability in order to attend the December 14-16, 2011 meeting 
(i.e., interpreter services, assistive listening devices, and/or 
materials in alternative format) should contact department staff by 
telephone: (202) 219-7011; or, email: aslrecordsmanagement@ed.gov, no 
later than November 21, 2011. We will attempt to meet requests after 
this date but cannot guarantee the availability of the requested 
accommodation. The meeting site is accessible.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Melissa Lewis, Executive 
Director, NACIQI, U.S. Department of Education, Room 8060, 1990 K 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20006, telephone: (202) 219-7011; email: 
Melissa.Lewis@ed.gov. 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 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday 
through Friday.
    NACIQI'S Statutory Authority and Functions: The NACIQI is 
established under Section 114 of the Higher Education Act (HEA) as 
amended, 20 U.S.C. 1011c. The NACIQI advises the Secretary of Education 
about:
     The establishment and enforcement of the Criteria for 
Recognition of accrediting agencies or associations

[[Page 67429]]

under Subpart 2, Part H, Title IV, HEA, as amended.
     The recognition of specific accrediting agencies or 
associations, or a specific State approval agency.
     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 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.
    Electronic Access to this Document: 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 via the Federal Digital System 
at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you can view this document, 
as well as all other documents of this Department published in the 
Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). To 
use PDF, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at 
the site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal Register by using the article search feature at: https://www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

Eduardo M. Ochoa,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2011-28263 Filed 10-31-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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