A random sample of instructors (N=20) indicated that phenomena such as academic grade inflation, erosion of academic standards and student achievement levels, and too little emphasis on cognitive learning have to some degree been the consequence of many so-called innovative programs. (Author)

Innovation for its own sake has led to lowered academic standards and a less valuable educational product. Community colleges must stop catering to academically underprepared students by simply entertaining them with instructional innovations and must return to emphases on basic skills, essay examinations, and academically challenging coursework.…

The author presents a survey of public opinion against continued innovation in the field of education, drawn from editorials and reportage in "Newsweek,""The New York Times,""The Tampa Tribune-Times," and "U.S. News and World Report." Contrast is made to continued calls by educators in professional books and journals for continued innovation in…

A survey of 20 instructors at Broward Community College revealed faculty concern about underprepared students, grade inflation, de-emphasis of cognitive learning, falling academic standards, instructor evaluation by students, and objective testing. Suggestions for reform to accommodate diverse students while maintaining academic standards are…

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…

In recent years there has been much controversy about how best to accommodate the heterogeneous academic abilities of student bodies in community colleges. In order to ascertain faculty members' attitudes on this subject, a random sample of instructors on the central campus of Broward Community College in Fort Lauderdale, Florida were asked to…

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…

The author contends that limiting instructional innovation and upgrading academic standards will benefit both high-risk and traditional community college students. He presents results from instructor surveys and studies favoring the more traditional teaching, grading, and testing methods and includes suggestions for improving study skills and…

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,…

The downward trend in educational quality, as evidenced by sinking Scholastic Aptitude Test scores and other evaluatory measures, is examined. Both secondary school teachers and university faculty are held accountable for lowering academic standards, and much critical attention is paid to the precipitant implementation of innovative educational…

Schools and educators are being called to task so that students will be able to achieve academically and gain basic skills. While few people argue with the need for gradual, reasonable, and proven changes in curricula, the massive infusion of innovative curricula and teaching methods often intended to maximize affective learning may have had a…

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…

Explains declining academic standards as at least partially the result of two decades of innovative teaching. Describes the predicament of high school graduates who cannot read. Explains the hazards of affective, innovative teaching, and the anticipated benefits of returning to traditional education mixed with limited and proven innovative…

The need for two-year colleges to accommodate heterogeneous student bodies, including many underprepared and disadvantaged students, has resulted in the implementation of innovative teaching-learning approaches. In order to ascertain faculty attitudes toward innovative curriculum and instruction, 74 social science and English/foreign language…

Reports from the popular media indicate that the public is demanding a return to the teaching of basic skills, instead of supporting educational innovations which emphasize affective rather than cognitive objectives. Concerned with declining academic achievement at all levels of education and with the inadequate job skills of high school…