This study investigated the extent to which instructional objectives in eighth grade English classes provide criteria for a program in English for the early adolescent student. The study was conducted in eight representative eighth grade classes in public schools in Los Angeles County where eighth grade English teachers had signed Stull Act contracts including instructional objectives requirements. A total of 103 objectives was examined by a panel of five expert judges. The findings of this study indicated that the Stull Act has had a limited effect on the content of the instructional program in English at the eighth grade level. The provisions of such an accountability Act for teachers did not appear to have resulted in an exemplary program of instruction in English, nor did they appear to have resulted in a program inferior to that which previously existed. (Author/RB)