The Quality of Engineering Education Project Task Force on the Undergraduate Engineering Laboratory used questionnaires to gather information/opinions (from academia, industry, and professional societies) on the laboratory's value and objectives. Findings and recommendations are presented and discussed, including one encouraging cooperation with…

The program evaluation process at the University of Houston, involving self-studies by academic departments and review by outside evaluation teams, is described. The process considers educational goals and objectives, as well as the quality of students, faculty, and facilities. (PGD)

This publication provides a list of history standards and benchmarks embodying content that is highly valued nationally and in the Central Region states (Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming). It is intended to assist curriculum directors, social studies coordinators, and others who seek to identify…

This paper describes how to conduct a session to address the increasing presence of standardized testing and its impact on reform in mathematics classrooms. A brief history of testing and the impact of testing on teaching and learning are presented. Focusing on the consequences for educational equity that come from conducting state and national…

National concerns regarding quality education make program evaluation and outcomes assessment more important than ever. Traditionally, however, educators have failed to hold their programs and services accountable, or to provide evidence that selected activities were achieving intended results. The purpose of this chapter is to give educators the…

Discusses the components of a successful band program. Argues that such programs are organized, community- and school-oriented, and musically centered in terms of student and group accomplishments. (FL)

Presents factors to aid in deciding whether a school should remain open or closed before planning a school renovation project. (WD)

The Delaware way to improve instruction is to find out what makes high achieving schools effective and then organize an in-service program to help other teachers learn about it. (Author)

Cultural diversity defines and determines our lives in ways not fully appreciated. As the American population's profile changes, we must make educational quality limitless in its manifestations, infinite in quantity, unrestricted with respect to origins, and contagious. A society's well-being is directly related to citizen participation in all its…

Explains the impossibility of community colleges acquiring stature based on nearby four-year institutions' perceptions of them. Describes characteristics that contribute to excellence in community colleges (e.g, clarity about purposes, and action plans tied to purposes, goals, and short-term objectives). Offers a rationale for focusing on…

In recent years, the literature on community college education has included little material on instructional quality in these institutions. This absence of a discussion of quality teaching indicates a serious weakness in community college education that could be remedied by taking some lessons from the corporate sector. Three characteristics have…

Intended to encourage the development of textbooks and related materials that are both worthy of being read and readable, this paper presents standards for high quality reading instruction materials for kindergarten through grade 8. Approved by the California State Board of Education, the standards are based on the premises that better reading…

To solve the problems of low achieving students, it is important to change the quality of teaching instruction. Cognitive instruction is presented as a critical component for this large scale-change. Includes extensive references. (MD)

Comments on current efforts to evaluate and improve United States schools, especially the conclusions and recommendations of national education reports, tendencies in responding to them, and issues inadequately addressed by them. Both equity and excellence are important, it is suggested, and excellence may be achieved through challenge of familiar…

The new criticism critiques root causes of existing educational conditions. This bibliography for K-12 social studies teachers cites material dealing with the new criticism as it has been utilized in understanding, interpreting, or criticizing social studies. (RM)