A critical look is taken at the standards and philosophy current in the public schools. The continuing trend of permissiveness at all levels is deplored as producing young people who are unable to function literately after their schooling is finished. It is pointed out that teaching innovations over the past years have resulted in increased…

Generally speaking, educational books and journals have continued to support innovations, such as individualized instruction and non-punitive grading, while the nation's news media, television programs and the public itself appear to be disenchanted with the results of the educational establishment's emphasis on affective rather than cognitive…

A major reason for the public's concern about curriculum and instruction at all levels of education has evolved because of the serious decline in student academic achievement. After two decades of innovation in teaching styles there are increasing complaints about academic grade inflation, functional illiteracy, and student inability to read,…

A survey designed to investigate the causes of declining levels of student achievement indicated that (1) there has been an over-use of objective testing, (2) grade inflation is a serious problem, and (3) community colleges may have over-emphasized accommodation of unprepared students and under-emphasized cognitive learning. Recommendations to…