By 2008, according to this policy brief, half the states are likely to have adopted high-school exit exams. These exams, which students must pass to graduate, are part of state accountability systems and are above and beyond the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act. This brief discusses high-school exit exams. It begins with answers to…

This report represents the findings of the evaluation team that visited San Joaquin Delta College on March 25-28, 1996 for the purpose of validating the college's application for reaffirmation of accreditation. Overall, the team was impressed with the high level of quality inherent throughout the college. However, the team identified a number of…

A survey of 45 dental schools concerning policies and procedures for advancing predoctoral dental students found much time and effort of both dental faculty and administrators were devoted to advancement decisions, and considerable variability was found on certain issues, including the right to reexamination or remediation, nature/composition of…

Focuses on the need for linguistic tolerance to deal with the demographic challenges of the future in America. The article emphasizes that the best way for the City University of New York to face these changes is to formulate policies recognizing the evolving linguistics of a culturally diverse society while simultaneously reenforcing the need for…

In 1998, the first administration of the Massachusetts Educator Certification Test caused a furor. The initial decision to go forward with a statewide test, choice of vendor, decision surrounding the test's development, and the consequences of test administration are described. The Massachusetts experience teaches some important lessons that may…

Led by Chicago Public Schools, many districts have adopted strict retention and promotion policies, often abandoning social-promotion programs that pushed students ahead with their peers regardless of achievement. Research shows that grade repetition is a strong predictor for dropping out. Summer, weekend, and transitional programs are partly…

A general equilibrium schooling model shows that greater school efficiency is complementary with more equal opportunity, increased overall learning, more integration, stable teacher salaries, and fewer course preparations per teacher. Transferring students to area schools with curricula suited to their abilities would secure these ends. (Contains…

Research indicates that while grade retention does not typically increase student performance, it is widely practiced in schools throughout the country. Arguments for retaining a child include immaturity, the belief that an extra year of schooling will produce successful academic outcomes, and failure to meet criteria for promotion. Those who…

This paper describes the implications for the work of teaching and the curriculum of teacher education programs of three different views of teaching expertise and teacher education (professionalization, deregulation and social justice) that have competed with each other for dominance in the USA since the inception of formal teacher education in…

This report presents results from research into the effects of early childhood programs on their participants, particularly low-income and at-risk children. The studies described offer evidence on the long-term effects of high quality early childhood programs. Such programs can have long-lasting positive effects on children and their families,…

For the past two decades, China's economy has grown rapidly, averaging an astonishing 9 percent every year. One result of this growth has been the demand for more and better educational opportunities at the postsecondary level. In response, the Chinese government, which holds a tight control over its highly centralized education system, introduced…

In Canada today there is a clear move toward a more outcomes-based education system. This report examines the state of high school student assessment and reviews standards and accountability strategies. It reports on the policies, programs, and initiatives in all provincial ministries or departments of education and a sample of school boards…

This report on gifted education is based on surveys returned by central education agencies in 47 states and Guam. The report contains informational charts which provide a broad overview of state level services for gifted students. An analysis of the data follows every chart. Included are data on: state mandates and regulations on gifted education;…

The report of the National Academy of Education (NAE), "Setting Performance Standards for Student Achievement," provides an interpretation of NAE investigations into the procedures surrounding establishment of achievement levels for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The NAE report synthesizes the investigations of…

It is time to revise the Chapter 1 program to prepare disadvantaged children to meet the challenges of the National Education Goals. The Chapter 1 program must be aligned with larger reforms to develop higher standards for student performance and greater accountability. The gap in achievement between disadvantaged and other students means that…