Examines state high school graduation requirements from the perspectives of academic effectiveness and educational equity. Predicts that minimum competency testing, which is now widespread, will gradually be replaced by further increases in academic credit requirements. (KH)

In the wake of New York State's action plan to raise graduation standards, New York City's public schools have struggled to meet the new mandates and still provide adequate remedial services to students who need them. Offering alternative crediting through independent and group work is proving successful. (MLH)

This descriptive report examines the strategies of the six Southeast Region states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina) to improve high school graduation rates and student achievement and to increase the number of students leaving high school with the skills and knowledge necessary for the twenty-first…

This guide is intended to assist local planners in developing a policy for awarding equivalent credit for materials taught in vocational and regular academic classrooms. The first section summarizes the benefits of developing an equivalent credit policy. The second section provides details on developing an equivalent credit plan. It lists the…

Based on prescribed social studies content and objectives for twelfth-grade Alberta, Canada students, the specifications described in this document are intended to serve two purposes: (1) to identify specific course content and objectives that should be considered in evaluating student progress and achievement in Social Studies 30; and (2) to…

Recommendations and guidelines developed by the American Historical Association for certification requirements for history teachers in secondary schools are presented. The guidelines are based on the conviction that teachers of history must be well versed in history. Requirements proposed in history and closely related subjects constitute one-half…

There is a growing appreciation of the need for a greater supply of well-educated people, not only in the scientific and technological fields but also in the political, social, and cultural areas. The high school should play an important role in identifying and developing the specific abilities of each boy and girl so that each can make the…

Comparison of state graduation requirements found significant differences in the exit documents awarded to students with disabilities, with similar requirements sometimes earning different types of exit documents in different states. It was also found that 44 states use Carnegie course unit requirements and 17 states have minimum competency…

Discusses the difficulty in providing general music education for all high school students. Examines teacher resistance to such courses and negative student attitudes towards any required course. Argues that such education is valuable in that its purpose is to refine the aural perceptions and musical curiosity of all students. (GEA)

Discusses ways in which instrumental music teachers can benefit from teaching nonperformance classes and the reasons why these teachers are a natural choice for the job. Examines specific competencies of instrumental music teachers, suggesting ways they can be put to work in nonperformance classes. (GEA)

Reports a study gauging the average oral proficiency as measured by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) of college students (n=20) studying German at the end of their fourth semester. Discussion centers on reasonable expectations for high school graduation and for college language…

In 1983 "A Nation at Risk" recommended that all students seeking a high-school diploma be required to enroll in the "New Basics," a core curriculum composed of 4 years of English and 3 years each of social studies, science, and mathematics. Although several states have adopted the set of requirements, others have chosen a less restrictive set that…

A study examined the effects of increased academic requirements for high school graduation on enrollment trends in public secondary vocational education programs in Washington since 1983. Vocational directors of 211 school districts that had increased graduation requirements since 1983 were surveyed through questionnaires. Results indicated that…

Vocational educators have been confronted with problems in providing quality training in ever-decreasing amounts of time left for their fields. The author offers some problem-solving alternatives as educators await and deal with changes in state-level policies regarding high school graduation requirements. (Author/CT)

Reports on admission requirements and program structures of 102 master's programs in journalism and mass communication. Suggests that master's programs are diverse. (SR)