Using The Baldrige Criteria To Reengineer Higher Education

Higher education has been the target of much criticism. Various groups have been quick to point out the failings of all educational institutions from primary schools through institutions of higher learning. State legislators have been stepping in with their own solutions to perceived problems. This “call to change” has not been limited to the educational community as various industries have carried out a variety of reorganization, downsizing and merger attempts in order to remain competitive. Some of the techniques used in the business community are now finding their way into institutions of higher education. Two of the most notable are reengineering and total quality management. Both these processes call for higher education to “go about its business” in a new and more effective way.