Over the past several years studies have indicated that traditional certification models are not working as well as they once did, particularly in relation to a larger and larger number of unconventional students to be served, and if possible, certified. Two major problems stand in the way of creating educational opportunities that would afford…

How Florida responded to a call for improved educational quality by revamping admission standards is described. A number of states have investigated subject matter requirements, which allow students to know what is expected of them and gives a common base for disclosure. (MLW)

Too many institutions, it is suggested, are not maintaining standards of time, content, expectations, cooperation, and ethical behavior. To the extent that colleges and universities fail to set and maintain high standards in each category, the entire educational system suffers. (MLW)

Recent research on student achievement conducted by the National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP) indicates that American students are deficient in reading, mathematics, writing, and other skills. To reverse this trend, the Accountable Curriculum, a program that raises expectations for students was created. The program is a departure…

The President of the College Entrance Examination Board tells how its new commissions are searching for alternative, noninstitutional routes to learning. (Editor)

Presents responses from four-year (N=1,481) and two-year (N=1,010) higher education institutions to a survey of foreign language entrance and degree requirements. Changes over the years in college requirements are compared, and directories of institutions with language requirements are listed. (CB)

Many children with disabilities attend Catholic schools, but the resources to serve these children adequately are limited. Teacher assistants are increasingly being used to meet this need by assisting students with disabilities in regular classrooms. The authors maintain that such assistants can be effectively used in Catholic schools for this…

Developed by the Task Force on Academic Quality for the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, this report analyzes, discusses, and offers recommendations concerning ways to strengthen the quality of the associate degree in the state's community college system. Part I provides background on the charge of the Task Force and external…

Designed to encourage dialogue and inform decision making about the associate degree, this book presents perspectives on the role of the associate degree in the nation's two-year colleges. First, "Toward a Greater Degree: A Plan of Action," by Dale Parnell, suggests a plan for preserving and enhancing the value of the education being…

Describes the way that the Diagnostic English Test (DET), a writing skills laboratory, and a basic journalism course combine to monitor, correct, and improve journalism student writing ability while keeping journalism program standards at a consistent level. (RL)

This report examines students', teachers', and parents' reactions to standardized testing and whether the move to raise academic standards has improved the quality of college students and new employees. It is based on telephone interviews conducted in late 2001 with a national and random sample of 600 K-12 public-school teachers, 610 parents of…

This report examines students', teachers', and parents' reactions to standardized testing and whether the move to raise academic standards has improved the quality of college students and new employees. It is based on telephone interviews conducted in late 2000 with a national and random sample of public-school teachers, parents of public-school…

This report examines students', teachers', and parents' reactions to standardized testing and whether the move to raise academic standards has improved the quality of college students and new employees. It is based on telephone interviews conducted in the last quarter of 1999 using a national, random sample of 604 K-12 public-school teachers, 615…

This report discusses outcomes of a study of assessment directors and transition specialists from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia on exit documents available to and graduation requirements for students with and without disabilities. Results indicate: (1) approximately 80 percent of the states have alternative exit documents for…

This paper discusses the national movement toward increasing high school graduation requirements and the development of alternatives to the standard high school diploma for students with disabilities. Findings from a review of state policies indicate: (1) 38 states and territories apply some graduation requirements to students with disabilities;…