Steps taken by various states and individual institutions to determine a minimum level of accomplishment among students and to define the basic components of a college education are outlined. These include curriculum evaluations, standards review, and testing. (JMF)

An institution devoted to education must do its best to study the learning process and to assess the effects of its programs. Without such critical self-examination, no endeavor can make sustained progress. An excerpt from the book "Higher Learning" by Derek Bok is presented. (MLW)

The University of California at Berkeley's substantial reorganization of the biological sciences due to internal and external needs is chronicled, focusing on the coordinated efforts of the institution and the strong, supportive leadership of the chancellor. The story is presented as an unusual case of institutional leadership within a highly…