The purpose of this paper was to analyze the initial results of statewide implementation of the PRIME TIME program in Indiana. PRIME TIME is a state-wide program to reduce class size in the primary grades. Mean scores from 65,911 third graders who had completed the Indiana Competency Test in the spring of 1987 after completing 3 years of the…

According to a report from the University of New Mexico (UNM) 52 percent of Del Norte High School's (Albuquerque) graduates who entered UNM in the fall of 1979 were placed in at least one Basic Skills class, designed to assist beginning students whose American College Test (ACT) scores showed deficient college preparation in raising their academic…

This report focuses on the achievement in basic skill areas attained by disadvantaged students in compensatory activities. Areas reported on include corrective reading and mathematics. An overview of the report's purpose and methodologies indicates that reading and mathematics achievement data were collected for Title I participants on norm…

Productive changes in schooling throughout the 1980s are contingent on emphasis being placed on school effectiveness rather than on curriculum adjustments. Today's curriculum sprawl, caused by the state and federal legislatures' penchant for creating courses to cure newly-emerging social ills, must not deplete resources that should be directed…

A comprehensive and integrated basic studies program formulated in 1970 at a community college is discussed. To examine the effects of the program, applicants who graduated in the lower four-fifths and five-fifths of their high school class were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group. Students in the experimental group were…

In this paper, the effectiveness of a project to reform Northwestern Junior High School in Jacksonville, Florida, is described with reference to improved scores on standardized tests, less teacher absenteeism, and the change strategies which effected these improvements. (WI)

Schools need more incentives to begin to produce more "thoughtfulness." As it is now they respond by "getting by" because they are only held accountable for minimal levels of achievement. Policymakers need to develop a different system of acccountability. (MD)

The study examined the perceptions of 106 handicapped and nonhandicapped high school juniors and seniors concerning the vocational, leisure, domestic, and school skills they considered important and used frequently. Handicapped students were more likely to consider specific vocational skills as important than were nonhandicapped students.…

Basic skills deficiencies are intense, and widespread. They contribute to social problems such as poverty, unemployment, dependency, illegitimacy, and crime. Unless people acquire the basic competencies required for success, these problems will continue to increase. Educational attainment must be encouraged nationwide. (VM)

Home economics teachers have always taught basic skills, but they must learn to identify clearly how basic skills are incorporated into classes, how skills are taught effectively, and how to publicize the fact. Various examples using reading, writing, and mathematics skills are provided. (CH)

Describes a program in which student promotion is based on achievement. Standardized test scores have risen as a result of the program. (IRT)

In 1996, North Carolina established its "ABC" plan for educational improvement, based on accountability (A), testing of basic subjects (B), and more local control (C). Each year student test results in reading, mathematics, writing, and selected middle school and high school courses are analyzed to determine whether or not schools have…

Discusses the importance of basic education, which is predicated on five principles: (1) importance of intellectual development, (2) certain subjects are more important than others, (3) all children should learn these subjects, (4) pupil progress should depend upon pupil performance, and (5) teachers should be well-grounded in the subjects they…

Argues for the value of high-quality minimum competency testing (MCT) programs in efforts to restore honesty to public school promotion practices. Lists the seven characteristics of a good program and discusses the effects of MCT on students, on curriculum and teaching, and on public perceptions of schooling. (Author/WD)