This report presents the findings of a survey of a nationally representative sample of school districts on high school academic requirements and achievement. A survey questionnaire was sent to 571 school districts and a 93 percent response rate was obtained. Information was gathered on the following topics: (1) time spent in school; (2) credits…

The purpose of this report is to provide information on the outcomes of the Intervention for College Attendance Program, a program of competitive grants awarded to postsecondary institutions, professional organizations, and community-based organizations. Prior to the 2008-09 biennium, the program focused on provision of college awareness and the…

This booklet identifies the minimum entrance requirements necessary for college admission in South Dakota's public universities and recommends specific content for each course in the curriculum, as well as additional experiences and skills that would smooth the transition to a higher education course. The following topics, targeted to students…

This study examines the effects of increased mathematics and social studies requirements for high school graduation on at-risk students. Information was analyzed from the following sources for five high schools in California and two high schools in Georgia: (1) teacher surveys; (2) student surveys; (3) interviews with administrators; (4) student…

This paper outlines some initiatives taken to change and improve senior high school programs and diploma requirements in Alberta, Canada, as originally stated in the June 1985 policy statement, "Secondary Education in Alberta." It is intended to assist educational groups planning to revise a senior high school program. It also presents…

This analysis focuses on school offerings and practices that limit or increase the course work taken by particular groups of students. The National Commission on Excellence in Education has recommended minimal requirements for high school graduation consisting of 4 years of English, 3 years of mathematics, science, and social studies, and one-half…

A survey completed by 319 principals of high schools with enrollments under 500 was used to determine the core curriculum and the specific curriculum needs of today's small high schools. Principals indicated a need for additional courses in computer-related areas, remedial reading, speech, first-aid, geography, creative writing, and consumer…

Among the recommendations of the "Nation at Risk" report (1983) was that a core curriculum of four units of English, three each of science, social studies, and mathematics, and a half unit of computer science be required. Between 1982 and 1992 the percentage of high school graduates earning the recommended units in core courses increased…

Data from the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and achievement tests and from the High School and Beyond Survey were examined to explore: (1) differences among states in the amount of coursework taken by high school students; (2) differences across states in SAT achievement test scores; (3) the relationship between course taking and achievement; and…

Transcript data were analyzed to determine changes in course taking among graduates of high schools including mostly lower achieving students in California, Florida, Missouri, and Pennsylvania, which adopted high graduation requirements in the 1980s. Average credits per student increased in all academic subjects, as did the courses' difficulty…

One hundred forty-three Eastern Kentucky University college students majoring in education and enrolled in an introductory education course were surveyed to determine their understanding of and knowledge about multicultural education and to discern the extent to which these students appreciated and valued multicultural education. The study also…

Oral history has not been widely used in required high school history courses. Time, money, transcribing interviews, lack of teaching manuals, and the difficulties in evaluating students were cited as problems associated with using oral history as an instructional tool. Yet oral history projects do not have to be major productions to be…

The 1986-87 graduating classes of public high schools in New Jersey were the third set of classes that had to satisfy the state's High School Graduation Requirements Law (Chapter 241). Data reported by the districts are summarized, although no individual district data are presented. The statewide graduation requirements include: (1) passing a…

The large increase in the number of kindergartens in the United States and the revival of interest in the kindergarten in all parts of the country have given rise to a demand for information about schools for the preparation of kindergarten teachers and the standards and courses of study in these schools. The schools themselves ask for honest…

A study investigated the relationship of scores in the Texas Academic Skills Program, a minimum competency test for college-bound students, and performance in freshman and sophomore courses, and uses for that information in setting course prerequisites. Data were drawn from 18 courses at one community college. Results showed existing course…