A recent Supreme Court decision on a First Amendment case involving a teacher in Texas illustrates how teachers' and other public employees' rights to freedom of speech face serious erosion. The problem is deciding whether grievances fall into the protected area of "public concern" or the unprotected area of a "purely private…

Outlines a successful reading program developed in Wakulla County, Florida, schools where the adult illiteracy rate was seriously high. The success of this program emphasizes three points: begin with detailed needs assessment, establish clear program goals, and provide continuous evaluation.(MD)

Analyzes six myths about education and explores their justifications. The underlying assumptions are unsupported by educational research. A bibliography containing 71 citations is appended. (MD)

Sustaining the educational reform movement will involve an estimated 20 percent increase in funding for education. Since such increases are unlikely, the evaluation of existing reform is urgent. Includes a list of seven levels of evaluation appropriate for state reform bills. (MD)

The National Governors' Association Task Force on College Quality recommends colleges' use of data collection and assessment programs to chart students' learning progress. Other recommendations include developing clearly defined institutional missions and increasing college access for students from all socioeconomic backgounds. (MLH)

Without governors' support, the emerging teaching reform agenda will go nowhere. States should eschew their "deja vu" attitudes and embrace quality of education as a major determinant of state and national economic survival. The governors' action agenda includes 10 recommendations addressing teacher education and standards, work…