The relationship between high stakes testing and retention was studied in Florida in the context of educational reform and controversy over the effectiveness of retaining students in grade. The focus was on the relationship between the percentage of students in grades 1, 3, 5, 7, and 8 falling below the 50th percentile on the Stanford Achievement…

Changes in the relative academic achievement of Florida's black and white children over the last 13 years during which desegregation was taking place are investigated. The availability of achievement data for the entire black and white population, along with the 13-year time span between observations are seen as principal advantages. Data show…

Competency testing often refers to a system devised to assure successful performance on a specific test, in addition to other mandated criteria as a requisite to obtaining a high school diploma. Minimum competency testing is usually defined in one of two ways: as the acquisition of basic skills or as the demonstrated ability to apply basic skills…

The relationship between performance on tests of minimum competency (MCT) required for high school graduation and dropout behavior was studied with 76,664 Florida students. Results indicate that MCT failure increases the likelihood of leaving school only for students doing well academically, but not for minority students or those doing poorly.…