A survey of 28 teachers who participated in the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification process showed that most felt they had undergone a strong professional development experience. Unfortunately, teacher participation remains low. Many educators are unfamiliar with the process, lack access to support services, view board…

How realistic are high school students' educational aspirations? Reviewing the findings of the High School Survey of Student Engagement, Ms. McCarthy and Mr. Kuh note a troubling mismatch between the academic habits of many high school students and what will be expected of them in college. (Contains 1 figure and 19 endnotes.)

In a districtwide student and community survey, reading with comprehension was considered the most important skill necessary for graduation, while decision-making skills were rated the most important general category. Many respondents believed that the home, community, and school should share the responsibility in such areas as values education.…

Data generated through the National Assessment of Educational Progress's regular and special reading assessments during the 1970s indicate that the reading performance of historically lower-achieving students has risen considerably. Unfortunately, the significance of the data has not been fully explored by the news media. (PGD)

By 1985, this article reports, up to 40 states will require some form of teacher recertification. Based on a survey of state education departments and colleges of education, data are presented on recertification, and provisions for district-planned preparation, in the 50 states. (MCG)

Data gathered by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) can be used to analyze the relative effects of educational systems in different countries. A simplified example of such analysis utilizes variations among countries, among age cohorts within countries, and between subject matter competencies within…

Results of the authors' survey of Oklahoma Education Association members indicate that moonlighting is a common practice among teachers. Whether through additional work within or outside the school system, many teachers feel the need to supplement their salaries. The continuing need for moonlighting threatens teaching's professional status. (JBM)

Reviews Ridgewood, New Jersey, case wherein several parents claimed that school district's student survey violated students' privacy rights protected by the Constitution and two federal statutes: The Family Rights and Privacy Act and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment. Discusses subsequent federal regulatory and state legislative action.…

Fifth and ninth graders in United States schools scored significantly higher in the Second International Science Study than did their counterparts in the first study conducted in 1970. Differences between the responses of males and females in 1983 were also noteworthy, especially at the 12th-grade level. (PGD)

Teachers for Chicago is a graduate-level program addressing the need to select, train, and retain talented, dedicated newcomers for urban schools. It was conceived as a teacher preparation program combining robust academic preparation, an internship, support from experienced mentors, and employment incentives. A second-year evaluation survey…

Phi Delta Kappa study collected data on over 21,000 students in grades 4, 7, and 10 in 275 schools in over 80 U.S. communities. Five risk factors emerged: personal pain, academic failure, family socioeconomic status, family instability, and family tragedy. Many teachers helped considerably with personal pain and academic failure problems,…

Using teacher surveys and focus groups, a University of Minnesota study examined the effects of changing school starting times on school operations at all levels and on the community. The least desirable start time was 9:40 a.m. at middle schools. Later schedules benefited high school students. No one schedule can accommodate everyone. (MLH)

Compares and contrasts the descriptions of American schools and recommendations for school reform in major reports of the 1970s and 1980s and discusses a number of educational issues, including curriculum, teachers and teaching, school administration, academic standards, school climate and environment, and education in and out of school. (JBM)

Public support for improving public schools over seeking alternatives remains high (70%). Opposition to private contracting is growing. Fully 79% of public-school parents think schools effectively prepare students for the labor market; 72% want higher promotion standards. Inadequate discipline, violence, and scanty funding remain top problems.…