Educators, replacing substance with form in their dialogs, argue over symptoms and fail to consider causes. No coherent analysis links practice to social reality, because low-level sloganeering replaces useful analytic language. Particularly offensive, career education, another energy-draining slogan, has clearly reactionary potential. Two…

The philosophy, strategies, and pitfalls of educational accountability, and information on the development and implementation of accountability programs are outlined in this conference report. Educational accountability is a term used in connection with activities such as assessment, evaluation, auditing, and performance contacting. The speakers'…

Prepared to serve as a resource manual for educators as well as informative reading for the general public, this first yearbook explores a wide range of views, topics, and trends of current importance in the field of vocational education. The authors were particularly concerned with the philosophy of vocational education as expressed in the…

The role of evaluation in a working model for the diffusion of educational innovations is the central topic of this paper. The working model is a product of the Trent Valley Centre (TVC), a "regional laboratory" type extension center of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. The first objective of the program is to generate the…

A study of the skill priorities of Connecticut's adult education stakeholders asked 838 business and industry providers, 4,846 learners, 774 instructional service providers, and 753 state agencies and public service providers to rate how critical 55 competencies are to an adult's ability to function in society and the workplace. The competency…

A project was conducted to identify the major conceptual problems associated with secondary cooperative vocational education (CVE) programs, develop a model that accurately depicts the CVE process, and develop a comprehensive set of measures for quality CVE programs. Based on their review of the related literature, the researchers concluded that…

Designed to provide direction for postsecondary education in Alaska for the next 5 years, this statewide plan analyzes the present status of postsecondary education in the state and offers goals and strategies for the future. Following an executive summary of goals and strategies, the report presents an introduction to the growth of postsecondary…

The teacher education program at the University of Houston is described which stresses accountability and competency based teacher education. Accountability is defined as a process for increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of education through measurement of progress toward specified goals. Objectives in Houston's teacher preparation program…

The following essays are included: (1) "Futurism in Foreign Language Learning" by Frank M. Grittner and Percy B. Fearing; (2) "Humanism in Learning Foreign Languages" by Samuel L. Lieberman; (3) "Objectives for New Programs: A Thematic Approach in Second Language Learning" by Helen L. Jorstad; (4)…

This report summarizes the ninth survey of state directors of special education by the National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) at the University of Minnesota. Results include all 50 states and 9 of the 11 federally funded entities (unique states). The purpose of this report is to provide a snapshot of the new initiatives, trends,…

These proceedings summarize the themes and events of the 10th anniversary celebration of the National Education Goals Panel (NEGP). The proceedings are divided into three sections. The first section summarizes significant themes and issues raised over the 2-day event. The second section is a synopsis of discussions that took place during the…

This book on the results of education for students with disabilities considers a number of issues, including what outcomes should be expected and how they should be measured and reported, school reform, the possible role of Goals 2000/Educate America Act, and alternative views on identifying outcomes and setting standards such as those of the…

This paper examines issues in gathering data for purposes of making accountability decisions for students with disabilities. The first section describes five alternative methods being used: (1) administration of norm-referenced tests; (2) focus on results or outcomes; (3) Individualized Education Program aggregation; (4) secondary analysis of…

In 1989, a long-term partnership began between International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation and the Austin Independent School District (AISD) to form Project A+ (later named the A+ Coalition), a program designed to be a catalyst for educational improvement by identifying fundamental changes needed to enhance education and to marshal community…

Based on the 1981 seminar of the Leverhulme Programme of Study into the Future of Higher Education, papers are presented that propose an agenda for institutional change in higher education, based on demographic, economic, social, and political forces of the decade. In "The Challenge of Change," Leslie Wagner considers the interaction…