This report covers the activities of the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) from Oct. 1, 2003, to Sept. 30, 2004. From investigating the misidentification of minority students in special education, to ensuring accessibility of college campuses for students with disabilities, to facilitating access of women to equal…

By conducting a large scale survey of elementary schools across California serving similarly challenged low-income student populations, a collaborative research team (EdSource, Stanford University, U.C. Berkeley, and American Institutes for Research) sought to find which current K-5 practices and policies are most strongly correlated with high…

The papers in this book reflect current debates on academic standards and quality assurance, and speak from the perspective of institutional leaders and national quality bodies and higher education researchers. Included are reports on the progress of several international quality initiatives and studies on the impact of external quality assurance…

This issue discusses the many facets of vocational assessment in the development of transition plans and services. "Vocational Assessment: The Kick-Off Point for Successful Transitions" (Pamela J. Leconte, Debra A. Neubert) presents an overview of why assessment is important and how it connects school to work. "Professionals in…

This report describes findings of two half-day focus group meetings that discussed experiences and concerns about the participation of students with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) in Minnesota's Basic Standards Exams. The focus groups included test coordinators, general classroom teachers, and English as a Second Language teachers. The report…

These hearings were concerned with the authorization of the Higher Education Act 1998 amendments. The hearing focused on affordability of postsecondary education, simplifying the student financial aid system, and academic quality for students. The document reports testimony of representatives of professional associations and Pennsylvania…

This report presents data on high school performance indicators for the 1999-00 school year in Bronx, New York. Data are provided on: background; students (numbers and ethnicity); state accountability indicators in English and language arts (full cohort and seniors in the cohort); state accountability indicators in mathematics (full cohort);…

This report presents data on high school performance indicators for the 1999-00 school year in Brooklyn, New York. Data are provided on: background; students (numbers and ethnicity); state accountability indicators in English and language arts (full cohort and seniors in the cohort); state accountability indicators in mathematics (full cohort);…

This report presents data on high school performance indicators for the 1999-00 school year in Manhattan, New York. Data are provided on: background; students (numbers and ethnicity); state accountability indicators in English and language arts (full cohort and seniors in the cohort); state accountability indicators in mathematics (full cohort);…

This report presents data on high school performance indicators for the 1999-00 school year in Queens, New York. Data are provided on: background; students (numbers and ethnicity); state accountability indicators in English and language arts (full cohort and seniors in the cohort); state accountability indicators in mathematics (full cohort);…

This report presents data on high school performance indicators for the 1999-00 school year regarding the articulated alternative in New York City high schools. Data are provided on: background; students (numbers and ethnicity); state accountability indicators in English language arts (full cohort and seniors in the cohort); state accountability…

This blueprint describes President Bush's education plan. Federal block grants are provided to states for schools that establish annual assessments, demand progress, improve poorly-performing schools, create consequences for failure, and protect home and private schools. The "Reading First" initiative gives funds and tools to promote…

The introductory section of this guide highlights the progress being made with educational technology and investments in technology by business/industry, innovations by a high school in Greenbrier (Arkansas), actions educators will need to take and challenges that will need to be addressed if technology is to be used successfully in education, and…

The purpose of this monograph, which is aimed at educational planners, is to explain the essential aspects of the relationship between planning and law. It is intended to illustrate the role of law in the planning and administration of school systems and thus familiarize education specialists with the tools needed to understand legal…

This paper summarizes the standardized procedures and psychometric standards states must follow in developing performance-based assessment. The National Reporting System (NRS), which serves as the accountability system for federally funded adult education and literacy programs, requires that states have their local programs assess educational gain…