The problems of urban public schools and current reform efforts are examined in this issue of "FOCUS," a publication of the Educational Testing Service. Declining support from parents and teachers, budget cuts, declining enrollment and deficiencies in student performance in mathematics and science skills are among the problems discussed.…

This paper suggests ways in which counselors can take greater control of their accountability plans and make evaluations serve both the counselor and the school more constructively. Recommended competencies for specific types of guidance programs are described in detail. Three types of evaluation data are discussed for use in accountability…

This policy brief analyzes state charter school laws in light of American Federation of Teachers criteria for strong legislation and examines current findings concerning whether charter schools are living up to the bright claims touted by their advocates or the dire consequences predicted by their foes. It also details emerging issues regarding…

In the Australian higher education scene the importance of recognizing effective teaching is gaining increasing prominence. Issues of academic accountability and the increasing scarcity of financial resources for higher education have added pressure to the debate about what constitutes quality in higher education. Central to this debate is the…

Five articles focus on issues of accountability within the library profession. The topics discussed include the roles of library schools and associations in developing professional attitudes, performance measures for reference services, responsiveness of collection management to university needs, confidentiality of library records, and guidelines…

A national study of assessment in American undergraduate education by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching concludes that the current debate over assessment does not adequately consider educational goals and reflects divisiveness within and between faculties. (MSE)

This paper is the eighth in the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) biennial series summarizing federal and state public-policy issues affecting higher education. This document's list of top public-policy issues comprises a daunting inventory for boards and chief executives to consider. Security demands of the…

Describes an evaluation model for the independent psychodiagnostic clinic and outlines an evaluation tool used at the Psychoeducational Teaching Laboratory in Syracuse, New York. Evaluation components include formative and summative product and process evaluations. Suggests program evaluation be part of contract negotiations and individually…

The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education developed draft standards for Professional Development Schools (PDSs). This article discusses the PDS concept and origins, examines why PDSs are important, and argues for standards as a means of supporting the PDS work and holding PDSs accountable for multiple results. The draft standards…

This publication, one of a series examining the issue of faculty workload and productivity, argues that the key to institutional change in higher education is the role of college faculty and offers recommendations for improving and measuring college faculty productivity. The paper begins with a conceptual model for discussing faculty productivity,…

This paper contains executive summaries of the productivity-quality efforts and priorities from 12 Illinois public universities. Reports summarize the schools' goals (e.g., improved minority student achievement; greater use of technology) and initiatives in pursuit of those goals (e.g., incorporation of diversity issues into new curricula;…

This report provides Rutgers University's policy regarding its commitment to research and graduate education. Briefly examined are some external developments requiring imaginative and aggressive responses on the part of the university so that the school can maintain its position among the top echelon of research universities in the United States.…

This report finds two fundamental problems threatening higher education's ability to help America succeed in challenging times: first, the lack of recognition by state and national leaders of higher education's value; and, second, the lack of recognition by colleges and universities of their need to change. The report presents recommendations to…

Presents model for assessing psychosocial factors that may influence family members' willingness to care for people with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS): caregiver resources and coping characteristics, degree to which person with AIDS is held accountable, social support, familial obligation/affection, fears of acquiring human…

Discusses how legal issues impinge upon teacher competency testing, describing key legal provisions (antitrust protection, due process, equal protection, substantial adverse impact, and business necessity), and examining each one's impact on testing and teacher certification. Recommendations to help teacher educators ensure legal, credible, and…