In this commentary on the "Peabody Journal of Education" special edition, the author addresses implications of the contributing articles to three central domains of interest to states engaged in or considering the development of an alternate assessment on modified academic achievement standards: (a) identifying an eligible student population, (b)…

The need to build experiential learning into external degree programs is examined in terms of the framework identifying the functions of experiential elements of a program. Successful forms are defined and models of these are described. (JMF)

The nontraditional education movement in postsecondary education has presented new problems for accreditation in terms of results vs process, governance, the rise of entrepreneurs, and territoriality. (JMF)

External degree programs present problems to the coordination of higher education in the states. It should be the function of recognized accreditation agencies and the institutions to assure quality programs. Only as a last resort should the states step in to coordinate. (JMF)

This article compares and contrasts various types of external degree and nontraditional graduate programs including their organization, objectives, and problems. (JMF)

Philosophical and theoretical debates have created some uncertain direction in the curriculum field. The article claims that efforts toward systematic curriculum reform may fail because of inconsistency, maintaining that effective curricular and systematic reform will occur when stakeholders agree on intended goals and identify actions that…