THE formulation of standards in respect of such matters as entrance and graduation. requirements, staff, equipment and financial resources, and the accrediting of educational institutions with reference to them, are undertaken in the United States by voluntary national and regional associations and by State universities and departments of education. Lists of accredited institutions are published from time to time and the situation is reviewed by the United States Office of Education once in every four years. Bulletin No. 16, “Accredited Higher Institutions, 1938” (Supt. of Documents, Washington, D.C., ppl 212; 20 cents) brings together the latest available lists and standards of both voluntary and State accrediting agencies. The most noteworthy development of the past few years is the drawing up by the Engineers' Council for Professional Development of a statement of principles (reproduced in the Bulletin) for accrediting engineering curricula with the object of improving the status of the engineering profession. Other national associations have published lists of accredited professional and technical schools of law, theology, medicine, pharmacy, osteopathy, optometry, music, architecture, business, librarianship, journalism, forestry, social work and teaching. A National League of Nursing Education is conducting a survey with the intention of issuing a list of accredited schools on its completion. Of the university accrediting agencies, the chief and most exclusive is the Association of American Universities, which regards as the principal ground for the inclusion of a college in its approved list, evidence of success “in stimulating scholarly interest in its students and in preparing them for more advanced scholarly endeavour”.