The National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching is working with the New York State Education Department to develop an assessment system that addresses both instructional and accountability concerns. The new system is intended to move the state to a system of performance assessments used in the service of ongoing teaching and…

This "Profile" offers a snapshot of state assessment systems by describing some of their fundamental characteristics. Its focus is on what individual states are doing in terms of developing their own standards and assessments and how they report these results. Two pages of information are presented for each state (but not for the…

This paper contends that much of the time and money devoted to standardized testing in the United States is misspent. Too many tests are poorly constructed, unreliable, and unevenly administered. Multiple-choice tests cannot measure thinking skills or real problem-solving ability. In addition, many examinations are biased racially, culturally,…

This report presents a framework of action necessary for effective statewide leadership related to equity in the schools. It also details progress made by the Colorado State Board of Education and the Colorado Department of Education regarding actions related to educational equity, and makes recommendations about where the State of Colorado may…

This report is one of a series that documents progress in understanding the effects of new assessment based on case studies in three elementary schools. It presents the preliminary analyses of interviews with teachers about their knowledge, beliefs, and practices related to assessment and instruction in reading and mathematics. Changes in beliefs…

The measurement dilemmas involved in assessing the national educational goals established by the President and governors at the 1989 education summit are discussed. The first and most important choice is what to assess and whether to align assessment to the vision of curriculum reform or to the curriculum that students are actually experiencing.…

This paper discusses program evaluation as a condition for the receipt of federal funds under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It focuses on some actual and potential linkages between effectiveness or outcome evaluation, implementation evaluation, compliance monitoring, and the concepts of program improvement and…

The Israel Ministry of Education and Culture (Jerusalem) has attempted to establish a feedback system to provide information about the functioning of the educational system in Israel. Feasibility of such a system and ways to ensure its effectiveness were studied through an assessment of the teaching of mathematics in grade 4. Data were collected…

Designed for the community college practitioner who may be considering initiating a student tracking system, this report draws upon selected writings and other sources to examine the potential role of student tracking systems in student outcomes research. The report examines the limited scope of community college longitudinal studies conducted to…

Educational change depends on the development of total school system readiness. An analysis of the school evaluation process is the purpose of this report. Essential steps to determine school readiness for restructuring include the assessment, profiling, and integration of interrelated system components, which include focus and support factors.…

The relationship between state government and higher education institutions is discussed. It is noted that, by and large, state governments have left colleges alone until the past two decades. State intrusions have taken the form of accountability statutes, budgeting, performance audits, program review, minimum standards, sunset laws, and more…

In response to a legislative mandate, this report assesses proprietary education in Florida in terms of institutional licensure, program standards, data collection, and student financial aid. The report defines "Proprietary schools" as accredited or non-accredited postsecondary vocational institutions, universities, and colleges owned by…

A bibliography of materials authored or coauthored by Lyman A. Glenny from 1951 through 1981 on the role of the state in the governance of higher education is presented. Topics include the following: quality and accountability and statewide review procedures; the role of the state in the governance of higher education; response to stress at 10…

Although Japanese junior colleges differ from American junior colleges in that they are smaller, more often privately owned, have larger female enrollments, and offer a greater number of home economics and English courses, much can be learned from the Japanese accreditation system. An accreditation self-study eventually takes the form of an…

Extracts from the papers and position statements presented at the National Conference on Achievement Testing and Basic Skills are provided in an attempt to capture both the diversity and the consensus among the participants. Six sessions are summarized: (1) achievement tests and basic skills: the issues and the setting--by Harold Howe II; (2)…