A teacher education policy is proposed by the education deans of 23 private and public universities to create an elite corps of elementary/secondary teachers rules out undergraduate education majors and requires a master's degree in education, a substantial internship, and in some cases, a specialized postgraduate degree. (MSE)

The new goals for teacher education proposed by the Holmes Group Consortium, the education deans of 23 research universities, concern the institutional environment, faculty, students, and professional curriculum. (MSE)

This report discusses findings from case studies in California, Missouri, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania that examined ways in which state-level general and special education reforms interact, impact local districts, and affect the educational programs for students with disabilities. Chapter 1 reviews two major state-level priorities for education…

This publication synthesizes recent research about standards-based education. It is intended to inform efforts to improve low-performing schools and create or sustain standards- based, high-performing learning communities. The five chapters are: (1) "Literacy for All Children" (aspects of literacy, reading, writing, and exemplary literacy teachers…

Science education standards established by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the National Research Council (NRC) urge less emphasis on memorizing scientific facts and more emphasis on students investigating the everyday world and developing deep understanding from their inquiries. These approaches to instruction…

In 2003 the first nationally-comparable science assessment was designed, developed and carried out under the auspices of the national council of education ministers, the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA). In 2006 a second science assessment was conducted and, for the first time nationally, the…

In recent years, public dissatisfaction with education has led educators, citizens, and policymakers to consider creating a national system of standards and assessments. This dissatisfaction resulted in movement to establish national standards and assessments in U.S. education. These standards are designed to raise the achievement levels of all…

The National Academy of Education (NAE) Panel has drawn two major conclusions in its evaluation of the National Assessment Governing Board's (NAGB) efforts to set achievement levels for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). They are that the Angoff procedure is fundamentally flawed for the setting of achievement levels, and that…

The first annual National Education Goals Report is presented, focusing on measuring/monitoring the nation's/states' progress toward meeting the President's and governors' six national education goals. The most recent quality indicators available are presented, which are: results-oriented (focusing on whether or not the nation is achieving the…

Issues pertaining to access to higher education in Great Britain are considered in seven papers. Medium- and long-term policy issues concerning the demand for and access of British residents to higher education at the undergraduate level are reviewed by Oliver Fulton, who also outlines policies to increase demand and improve access, along with…

Competency testing legislation is the result of citizen pressure and lacks the benefit of careful deliberation by professionals. Hastily passed legislation has forced state departments of education and school districts to accept their duty to implement competency testing programs without the appropriate resources. Many of the basic problems of…

Strategies regarding retrenchment in higher education are examined in three papers and commentaries. In "Basing Public Policy on Student Achievement: A New Agenda Item," Francis Keppel recommends that the federal government undertake a program of acquiring data on student achievement in certain areas of the college curriculum to provide…

The purpose of this paper is to consider two criticisms which have been directed at the new admissions policy of the City University of New York. First, it is suggested that this policy has the effect of ending open admissions. If open admissions is defined as the provision of access to the university to all high school graduates in New York City,…

Eastern Montana College is a comprehensive state college. The faculty handbook discusses: (1) organization and administration of the college; (2) responsibilities of administrative officers and faculty advisors; (3) committee composition and function; (4) faculty organization and regulations; (5) academic regulations; (6) campus policies; and (7)…

A study of the practices of six two-year and four-year colleges of the State Universities of New York concerning the identification of high-risk students, the operation of these practices within the academic system, and college evaluation of student progress in remedial courses is reported. (MSE)